Becoming an Active Ally: Co-Conspirator for Social Change | Ceah Justice | TEDxSantaBarbaraSalon

TL;DR

Companies can make diversity and inclusion lasting by embedding it in their organizational DNA instead of treating it as an initiative that gets cut when times are hard. Sia Justice connects long-term D&I investment to brand reputation, customer loyalty, employee satisfaction, retention, recruitment, and training costs. Read on for her specific business arguments and examples of why inclusive workplaces matter.

Transcript

the hello Mark this has been a long time coming I am super excited to be here hello everyone I am Sia Justice um I am just an Unapologetic dope soul from District 25 and Greenville South Carolina I know that always shakes them up um and if you know about District 25 then you know right I have the opportunity to help employee Resource Group Leaders ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Companies are increasingly recognizing the business benefits of diversity and inclusion, leading to a shift in organizational culture.
• 👨‍💼 The importance of DEI initiatives is rooted in both morality and tangible business benefits, including brand reputation and employee retention.
• 🖐️ Gen X individuals play a crucial role in supporting and championing the DEI movement in the workforce.
• 🌐 One individual, with a powerful idea and vision like Sia Justice, can bring about transformative change in a global corporation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has corporate support for diversity and inclusion changed?

Sia Justice says the situation involving George Floyd put D&I on the map a little over two years earlier and helped create dedicated teams of D&I professionals. She says convincing companies that diversity can make them better has since become much easier.

Q: Why should companies continue investing in D&I during difficult times?

Justice argues that D&I should be rooted in a company's DNA rather than treated as a temporary initiative. If it is among the first things cut when conditions become difficult, she sees that as evidence that it was never fully embedded in the organization.

Q: What business arguments support corporate D&I initiatives?

Justice frames D&I through tangible benefits as well as morality. She highlights brand reputation, customer loyalty, employee satisfaction, retention, turnover, recruitment costs, and training costs as factors that can affect the bottom line.

Q: How can D&I affect a company's brand reputation?

Justice says consumers are more inclined to support socially responsible brands that align with their values. She also warns that a single negative incident involving a social issue can cause significant reputational damage and weaken customer loyalty.

Q: How does workplace inclusion influence employee retention?

Justice says Millennial and Gen Z employees are not joining organizations only for a paycheck. They want workplaces where they belong and where they look forward to coming to work, so D&I can influence satisfaction and turnover.

Q: What financial example shows the cost of employee turnover?

The host recalls a New York City chief talent officer saying it cost about $25,000 to onboard one new employee. That primarily Millennial workforce reportedly had a 39% turnover rate, with employees often staying 18 to 20 months before moving on.

Q: What programs can companies use to encourage employee loyalty?

The host says training, development, and other programs were introduced to encourage employees to remain loyal to the brand. These investments were discussed as a response to frequent job changes and high onboarding costs.

Q: How long has Sia Justice worked in diversity and inclusion?

Justice says she has done D&I work for more than 25 years. She helps employee resource group leaders influence change at RTX, formerly Raytheon Technologies, and also describes herself as CEO of The Bu company.

Summary

In this video, Sia Justice, an Unapologetic dope soul from District 25 and CEO of The Bu company, talks about the transformation companies have undergone in embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She explains how large corporations are now recognizing the importance of having DEI leadership at the executive level and the shift from convincing companies to invest in DEI to getting them to commit to it for the long haul. Sia also discusses the convincing arguments she makes to companies, such as the impact on brand reputation and loyalty, the influence of social media, the value of diverse teams, employee satisfaction and retention, and the impact on the bottom line. She also emphasizes the role of generational diversity in the workplace, including the importance of Gen X in leading and understanding younger generations. Sia shares her own experiences in transforming companies, particularly her work at RTX, where she has introduced a blueprint for success rooted in creating inclusive cultures and leveraging employee resource groups. She highlights the domino effect of promoting inclusion at work and how it can extend to employees' personal lives. Sia concludes by emphasizing the power of one idea and one individual to bring about significant change on a global scale.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the conversation around DEI transformed in recent years?

Over the past two years, the conversation around DEI has been significantly impacted by incidents like the tragic killing of George Floyd. This has put diversity, equity, and inclusion on the map, creating a demand for real teams of DEI professionals in companies. Convincing companies about the benefits of diversity has become easier, as there is now ample research and evidence that diverse teams improve company performance.

Q: How can companies be convinced to invest in DEI?

Companies can be convinced to invest in DEI by framing the argument not just from a moral standpoint, but also in terms of tangible business benefits. This includes considerations of brand reputation, customer loyalty, potential reputation damage from negative incidents, employee satisfaction, retention rates, and savings in recruitment and training costs. By emphasizing the impact on the bottom line, companies are more likely to pay attention and commit to long-term DEI initiatives.

Q: How can DEI initiatives impact brand reputation and loyalty?

Consumers today are more inclined to support socially responsible brands that align with their values. With the rise of cancel culture and the power of social media, even a single negative incident related to a social issue can lead to significant reputation damage for a company. By prioritizing DEI, companies can build a positive brand reputation, strengthen customer loyalty, and enhance their standing in the market.

Q: How does DEI impact employee satisfaction and retention?

With Millennials and Gen Z entering the workforce, employees are seeking more than just a paycheck. They want to belong and look forward to coming to work every day. By prioritizing DEI, companies can create inclusive environments where employees feel valued and supported. This, in turn, leads to higher employee satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Investing in DEI can also save costs associated with recruitment and training.

Q: How does generational diversity play a role in DEI efforts?

Generational diversity is essential in DEI efforts, and Gen X is a critical generation in leading and understanding younger generations. As older leaders retire, Gen X is filling leadership voids and shaping the future of the workplace. They must get on board with DEI initiatives to effectively address the needs and expectations of Millennials and Gen Z. Understanding what makes younger generations tick and creating inclusive cultures that resonate with them is vital for long-term success.

Q: How has Sia's background in broadcast journalism helped her in her current role?

Sia's background in broadcast journalism has given her confidence and a comfort level in speaking out against injustice and advocating for change. It has shaped her ability to stand up as a leader and take risks in the fight against injustice. Her experience in front of the camera and lights has instilled the confidence to raise her voice without hesitation. She attributes her vocal nature to her ability to thrive in the broadcast journalism and theater spaces.

Q: Can you provide an example of a company transformation before and after Sia's involvement?

Sia discusses her own current role at RTX, where she has created a blueprint for success in DEI. Two years ago, when Sia joined the company, there were separate business units, each with their own HR and DEI structures. Sia's approach was to treat employee resource groups as leadership development programs, elevating them to be part of decision-making processes throughout the company. By implementing this approach, RTX has seen a transformation in terms of inclusivity, cross-functional collaboration, and employee experience. The impact of her blueprint continues to unfold as she aims to create a domino effect in employees' personal lives as well.

Q: How does Sia's blueprint impact the parent company's tens of thousands of employees?

Sia's blueprint for success impacts RTX, which has 200,000 employees globally. By restructuring the approach to employee resource groups and emphasizing their role in decision-making, Sia ensures a consistent and inclusive experience for all employees, regardless of their business unit affiliation. This blueprint aims to generate a positive and domino effect in employees' personal lives, promoting a global mindset of inclusion.

Q: How does Sia's example prove the power of one idea to create change?

Sia's experience demonstrates the power of one person and one idea to drive significant change on a global scale. Through her position at RTX, she has the opportunity to influence decisions that impact thousands of lives. Sia's blueprint for success in DEI and her commitment to challenging limiting beliefs has the potential to inspire others to create transformative change within their organizations. This showcases that one individual's idea and determination can make a real difference.

Q: How does Sia's theater and broadcast journalism background contribute to her confidence in her current role?

Sia's theater and broadcast journalism background has instilled confidence in her ability to speak out against injustice and be a co-conspirator in the fight for equality. Her experience standing in front of the camera and lights has shaped her vocal nature and comfort in raising her voice. The confidence gained from her theatrical and broadcasting experiences has positively contributed to her current role in leading DEI initiatives and challenging the status quo.

Takeaways

Sia Justice's conversation highlights the transformation in the corporate world's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Companies are no longer solely driven by a moral standpoint, but also by the tangible business benefits of DEI. Demonstrating the impact on brand reputation, customer loyalty, employee satisfaction, and the bottom line, DEI initiatives have become essential for companies in this age of cancel culture and social media. Sia emphasizes the importance of generational diversity and understanding younger employees' needs and expectations. Furthermore, her example at RTX showcases the power of one individual to bring about significant change on a global scale. One idea, combined with confidence and determination, can create a domino effect that positively impacts employees' personal lives and promotes a culture of inclusivity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sia Justice, an advocate for diversity and inclusion, discusses the evolution of companies embracing DEI initiatives.

• She emphasizes the shift towards understanding the business benefits of diverse teams in improving company performance.

• Through her experience, she showcases the transformation DEI can bring to organizational culture and employee engagement.