Creating a better world takes understanding, education and listening – sometimes we simply don’t know what we don’t know. And, I take ownership of doing my part to educate. There has been a lot of talk about companies capitalizing on DEI. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and share a few ways for companies to stand behind their marketing.
As every month approaches, companies are posting the obligatory image of the month on social media. What people in marginalized groups want to see is HOW and WHAT companies are doing for those communities. So, as you post a rainbow or black square, accompany it with an action you took to create a more equitable workplace or create change in the community. True allyship comes in the form of courageous action to stand for those that can’t stand by themselves.
A few other ways to be organizational allies:
Support BIPOC businesses by choosing to do business with an X amount of BIPOC vendors – and hold your suppliers accountable and do the same.
Rethink the charitable donations you make – if you post about a social issue every month, follow up the post with a donation to an organization that supports and advocates for that marginalized group.
Review your HR policies and procedures – what is your tolerance level for discrimination or harassment? If you support the LGBTQ+ community, then what are you doing to protect their safety within the workplace?
ACTION is how we create change together! Hold each other accountable. As you plan your next month’s social media calendar or decide which vendor to give your business to – ask ‘are we doing enough to justify this post’, ‘what else can we do to play a part in change?’, or ‘how else can we leverage our power and privilege to do more for social justice?’ When you put action into your posts, you will be part of the change and you will build trust with your employees, clients and community.
If you are looking for ways to be more authentic in your leadership or need education for your organization to be more inclusive, DM me and let’s talk!
Every year more and more companies join the social forum by posting pictures of rainbows, squares, new DEI leaders – basically obligations around what the right thing to say is based on the month of the year. What would be more productive is what ACTION they taking to stand behind their social media posts. What are they doing internally for the people that actually work for or with them? What matters to most is what they are doing internally.
Authenticity is what matters – regardless of whether you publicize or not. It shouldn’t take 9 minutes and 29 seconds to put a BLM post on social, it shouldn’t take peer pressure, or social outcries, it shouldn’t be because having diversity creates more revenue. It should be because it is the RIGHT thing to do. It perpetuates a sense of advancement, acceptance and belonging for the people that WORK for you. It should be because having diversity in thought and perspective leads to more innovation and work place inclusion. It should be because of humanity.
People in the marginalized groups (LGBTQ+, women, BIPOC, Disabled, Generational, etc.) know the truth – they can work for a company that has a strong DEI hiring campaign but allows discriminatory behavior, or lacks HR policies in accountability for bad behavior and continues to employ and promote predators – they want to feel pride in knowing they work in a positive and accepting environment.
So, as you plan the next month’s social media campaign – look inside before you post outside. Be authentic. If you want to attract more diversity, first look at your environment – and ask yourself ‘would a diverse hire WANT to stay?’ Ask ‘are we doing enough for the community?’ Ask ‘what more can we do as an organization to ensure our new diverse culture adds feel a part of the company?’ Ask ‘how can we leverage our power and privilege to do more for social justice?’
If you are looking for ways to be more authentic in your leadership or need education for your organization to be more inclusive, DM me and let’s talk!
