Why all the fighting over DEI

I yawned. Human Resources sent out a note to every manager in the division letting us know where our team stood in the company’s required training. I knew that I was behind so I set out to take the required classes and be a good example for my team.

Nothing like a little warning note to wake you up and get you moving.

I was behind in three trainings: two online ones that dealt with changes in our business and a final one, an in-person class on leading a diverse team. I cranked out the first two in no time. I groaned thinking about the leadership one. I scheduled it for the next Friday. It was exactly what I liked to avoid: spending precious time with a bunch of strangers, gathered in a circle, singing Kumbaya.

Really, this is how we’re going to spend our time?

When I got to the class the next week, we divided up into small groups for an ice-breaker. We had to chat with a team mate and then give a brief presentation to the rest of the class on their background, past work experiences, and what they hoped to get from the class. And then we traded spots and the other person presented.

When the facilitator asked if we understood the assignment, I had to fight from saying, “just shoot me now.” Okay, okay, I was smart enough to keep my thoughts to myself, but the introvert in me was clawing at the door to get out of the room.

The rest of the course was spent on role playing scenarios where we were put in challenging work situations and had to work our way through them. It certainly wasn’t your mother or father’s leadership class. In one scenario, I had to play the role of the leader and needed to work with a high achiever who was leading the team in sales and was a minority, but was a past victim of racist behavior and felt he wasn’t getting enough opportunities for future advancement. I remember stammering my way through an answer.

I’m speaking broadly about the class, and yes, I would love to pooh-pooh it. I would love to bad mouth it, but I learned a lot about my peers and myself and how to deal with sensitive situations. What’s more, it was good to hear from others who didn’t think and act like myself.

Keeping an open mind

I went in hating the class and came out raving about its lessons. I think of that that class when I see Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) classes and programs mentioned in the news. They seem to be in the news every other week now. In one of his first moves on Monday, President Trump issued executive orders slashing diversity, equity and inclusion programs and ordering Federal employees of those offices to be put on paid administrative leave.

It’s the corporate world too. Meta joined Ford, McDonald’s and Walmart and pulled the plug on key DEI programs early this month. Conservatives, including “supposed” Christian leaders like Franklin Graham have also pressured companies and universities to move away from DEI policies. (I would think the Christian message would be justice, equality and fairness for all, but what do I know? I’m just a lapsed Catholic.)

While many firms have balked at DEI, others including Apple and Costco have held firm. In particular, Costco has maintained that its DEI initiatives have helped it attract top talent, improve employee morale, and better understand diverse customer bases, which they see as crucial for business success, and have contributed to a positive company culture and employee satisfaction.

The devil is in the details

Here’s the thing: Instead of getting rid of DEI, why aren’t more companies offering DEI related training and programs. Yes, I hated that class. Yes, I cursed my time away from desk. But, here’s the thing conservative folks miss: Diversity of thought and experience are good things. I’ve seen too many times teams with similar backgrounds and educations stumbling over small problems because they fell into the trap of narrow thinking that would have been easily solved with a involvement of folks who might not have looked, acted or thought the same way. The team in short missed the forest from the trees.

And yes, I still believe hiring for merit. But I also believe in expanding that pool so that it’s not a small group, but a bigger one.

The irony gets even thicker. Politicians this week promoted the life of Martin Luther King Jr. They put out press releases promoting his messages of respect and justice. If they believe so much in his messages then why are they the same folks fighting DEI. I’m not sure I get it.

DEI makes a difference

When you have people of the same backgrounds, you get similar responses. Some of the best teams I’ve been on had men and women; heterosexual and LGBTQ; and people of different colors and races, who brought their multitude of experiences to bear.

From my perspective, DEI helps create a more inclusive and respectful environment, improves employee satisfaction, and has helped employees be more productive and innovative. It creates an environment where all people can thrive.

In short, we can do better.