Dear Holistic,

How do we get reluctant employees on board with DEI work? Or those who feel somehow that prioritizing recruitment, hiring, or leadership development for specific underrepresented groups is neglecting others? Over the past few years, we have dedicated a lot of time and energy to our DEI efforts and have received a lot of support from our employees, but there are still others who continue to push back and don’t agree that these efforts are the best use of our resources. Do you have any tips for us?

Sincerely,

Want to Work Together

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Dear Want to Work Together,

Thanks for writing in. This is a real challenge these days–when the culture wars have a capital C and a capital W and take place constantly over every matter. Everybody seems to have an opinion about everything and every discussion is an up or down vote on freedom.

The truth is when one employee expresses concern or discontent for the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which we do see from time to time, it’s often more about them than it is what the company is doing. It’s almost always expressed anonymously, sarcastically, and very much focused on the individual employee. Is there a place for me since I’m a white man? Am I being forced out? What am I gonna lose?

The truth is that it’s really not about them. It’s about creating opportunities for other people and leveling the playing field. So what is your job? To convert them? Or to assure them that they’re safe?

Neither. It’s your job to affirm your values. It’s our job to be clear, concise, consistent, and accurate about what your company is doing. The point is that it is more important to relentlessly focus on creating a fair environment, that is for everybody, than it is to somehow assuage or coddle those who are discontent within your organization. They are not your problem. They are a reminder of your problem and your challenge, which is to create a fair environment and hold yourselves to the highest standards. If they can’t see it, if they don’t buy in, then they have choices they can make. But your job is not to serve every individual employee, and it is definitely not a “finders keepers” environment at work. Your job is to think of the future of your organization and to create an environment where everybody can participate.

Yours truly,

Holistic

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