How to Drive Sustainable DEI Change in Your Organization
In this episode, Michelle covers some of the top ways to drive lasting DEI change in your organization, providing actionable insights for leaders at every stage of their diversity, equity, and inclusion journey. Drawing from extensive experience, Michelle outlines broad, mindset-shaping principles essential to making DEI efforts effective and sustainable, rather than just a box-ticking exercise. She discusses that while tactical tips for program design or policy implementation are important, actual lasting change starts with thoughtful leadership, cultural alignment, and ongoing accountability.
She also talks about the critical importance of leading by listening, being honest about their DEI journey, grounding their strategies in their organization’s unique culture, and setting purposeful, measurable goals for both internal and external impact. Michelle also discusses the need for authenticity, stressing that performative actions can hinder efforts, and highlights how integrating DEI into the organization’s core DNA, backed by strong leadership and accountability, is key.
Key Topics Discussed:
Leading by listening and demonstrating empathy
Honesty and transparency regarding DEI progress and setbacks
Developing culture-specific DEI strategies and language
Clarifying the purpose and goals of DEI work
Balancing internal and external DEI goals
Avoiding performative actions; being “real” or stepping back
Operationalizing DEI so it becomes part of organizational DNA
CEO and top executive leadership in DEI efforts
Building clear accountability into every people leader’s role
Grounding all DEI initiatives in change management techniques
