Measuring Inclusion: DEI without the backlash | Paolo Gaudiano | TEDxHarlem

TL;DR

Lack of understanding and focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has led to a backlash and hindered progress in organizations.

Transcript

thank you good afternoon everybody I'm PA Gano and I always like to start by addressing a couple of elephants in the room the first one is the white elephant and it's me what is a white cisgender heterosexual fully privileged guy doing talking about diversity and inclusion now normally tell people about my history history how I was really intereste... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 The focus on diversity without considering equity and inclusion leads to problems and backlash in organizations.
• ❓ Inclusion is about what organizations actually do to make each individual feel valued and included.
• ❓ Diversity measures alone are not enough; organizations must address underlying issues of exclusion and inequity.
• 🥺 Exclusion leads to decreased team performance and high turnover rates, causing financial losses for organizations.
• ❓ Inclusive organizations are more diverse, equitable, and financially successful.
• 🖤 The lack of tools to quantify the impact of diversity on organizations hinders progress in this area.
• 🖤 White leaders often lack awareness and understanding of exclusion, impeding their ability to promote DEI.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is the speaker emphasizing the importance of inclusion rather than just diversity?

The speaker believes that inclusion is invisible in organizations, and without addressing it, efforts to increase diversity will be ineffective. Exclusion leads to decreased performance and high turnover rates, causing financial losses.

Q: How does the focus on diversity contribute to backlash in organizations?

By setting diversity targets and not addressing inclusion, organizations create feelings of reverse discrimination among white men. This leads to resistance and backlash, hindering progress towards a more diverse and inclusive environment.

Q: How can organizations quantify the impact of diversifying their workforce?

The speaker points out a lack of tools to measure the impact of diversity on organizations. Without understanding the potential outcomes, organizations are hesitant to make changes. There is a need for tools that can help quantify the impact of diverse human assets.

Q: What is the speaker's view on the role of white leaders in promoting DEI?

The speaker believes that many white leaders want to do the right thing but lack awareness and understanding of exclusion. They do not see the problem and, therefore, do not know how to address it. It is crucial for white leaders to actively learn about and acknowledge exclusion to make meaningful changes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker addresses the lack of diversity and his role as a white, privileged person in discussing DEI.

• The focus on diversity without considering equity and inclusion creates problems, including backlash and ineffective strategies.

• Inclusion is crucial for a company's success, as exclusion leads to decreased overall team performance and higher turnover rates.