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DEI — The “Macarena” of the Corporate World!
Everyone’s doing it, but no one’s quite sure why.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — the trifecta of corporate jargon that’s taken the business world by storm. Every company worth its eye-wateringly expensive mission statement now claims to be a model of DEI excellence. But if you pulled most professionals aside and asked them to define the terms, you’d likely be met with ¯_(ツ)_/¯
So allow me, a definitely-not-biased observer :-), to break it down in simple terms:
Diversity is more than just checking some Equal Employment Opportunity box and calling it a day. It’s about actively building a workforce composed of people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and traits. You want a glorious mosaic of humans, not…whatever the opposite of that is.
Equity is where it gets a bit stickier. Equity is not about treating everyone exactly the same. It understands that different groups face different challenges and obstacles. True equity involves allocating resources and support to level the playing field.
And Inclusion? That’s about creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and empowered to thrive as their authentic selves—not one where Karen keeps getting promoted for being a fantastic cultural “fit” (read: unbearable).
DEI is NOT about ticking some training boxes, patting yourselves on the backs, and calling it a day. Real DEI work is a marathon, not a sprint.
It requires consistent effort, tough conversations, and a genuine commitment to dismantling the systemic biases and inequities baked into most organizations.
So, while your company might invest millions into DEI frameworks, consultants, and cringe-worthy videos — are they doing the hard work? Are they diversifying their hiring pools, rethinking their cultural norms, and empowering Employee Resource Groups?
Or is it all lip service and stock photos while the C-Suite remains stuffed with carbon copies of sis-gendered white men? If you can’t define your DEI goals beyond empty platitudes, you've failed the vibe check. So many women, myself included, are frustrated by the glaring gap between the supposed efforts to promote gender equality and the…
