Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the United States have fallen out of favor (to put it mildly). Our new right-wing-led Federal government, with the backing of the conservative-leaning Supreme Court has decided that any policy helping someone less privileged than a white man has to go. Actually, the Supreme Court only shot down higher education admissions policies that aimed to make their student bodies more diverse. But since then, several conservative law firms have gone after private corporations and their DEI initiatives.
Now, the Federal Government is slashing any program with language remotely reminiscent of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (including this $500k grant that was awarded to a local Madison community-supported agriculture project called Fairshare — their grant was cancelled because it had the word “equitable” in the title, as in “CSA for all: Strategic Marketing for Equitable CSA Expansion”). Yeah, getting more people healthy, local foods is a threat to our country. Shut it down. I wonder if the Supreme Court knew the can of worms they were opening up. But, diversity and inclusion programs are not only harmless, they are absolutely necessary. Here’s why they’re important now and always will be.
“Diversity and inclusion programs are not only harmless, they are absolutely necessary.”
Higher Profitability Through Creativity
One of the most powerful reasons to prioritize DEI is its direct link to innovation and creativity. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together, they bring fresh ideas and novel solutions to the table. A diverse team can approach problems from various angles, leading to more comprehensive and effective solutions. In business, better ideas paired with action, and customer testing directly leads to higher profits. They may not know it yet, but companies who aren’t engaged in creating diverse teams are leaving good ideas and higher profits on the table.
DEI Keeps People Safe
Testing products to ensure they work for all types of people saves lives. In one of the more egregious examples, crash test dummies were originally built to represent an average male. For years, cars were mainly tested with an 173-pound, 5’9″ dummy, which is far larger than the average female. As a result, women are 73% more likely to be injured in a car accident and 17% more likely to die than men.
Medical testing is primarily done on men. Software testing is primarily done by men. As a result, we have more drugs that work great for men (ah hem, Viagra) than women (where are our amazing PMS drugs?). Side Note: It turns out Viagra works great as a relief for PMS symptoms, but hasn’t been approved for it because testing on women isn’t getting funded. I learned this from the Invisible Women: Data Bias In a World Designed for Men book by Caroline Criado Perez, which has a lot of very enlightening examples of where we’re failing diverse populations when it comes to testing. In the software industry, non-diverse testing is how we get automatic sinks and voice-recognition systems that don’t work for black people. We need to do better.
Improving Decision-Making & Problem-Solving
Diversity also improves decision-making. Research has shown that diverse teams are more effective at problem-solving, as they are less prone to groupthink and more likely to consider a broader range of options. When people with different perspectives work together, they challenge assumptions, identify blind spots, and consider a wider array of solutions.
In a business context, this can lead to better strategies, more accurate market insights, and ultimately, better financial performance. A McKinsey report from years ago found that companies in the top quartile for gender and racial diversity were more likely to have higher profitability and value creation. We’ve known this for a long time, so why are we so hell-bent on forgetting it?
Promoting Fairness & Equal Opportunities
Equity, one of the key components of DEI, is about ensuring that all individuals have fair access to opportunities and resources, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic background. This commitment to fairness is crucial not only for creating a more just society but also for leveling the playing field so that everyone has an equal chance to succeed.
For instance, workplaces that prioritize equity ensure that people from underrepresented groups are given the same opportunities for growth, advancement, and recognition as their counterparts. This helps to break down systemic barriers that may have previously excluded marginalized communities from important leadership and career opportunities.
And when governing bodies are more diverse, we see better results. For example, a recent study found that companies who have a gender-diverse board make 2-5% more than companies run by old white men. Countries with more women leaders create countries that take better care of their citizens and ensure women have more support in the workplace. Huh, imagine that?
Improving Employee Engagement & Retention
Organizations that are committed to DEI tend to have happier, more engaged employees. When employees feel seen, valued, and respected for who they are, they are more likely to be productive, motivated, and loyal to their organization. This leads to higher retention rates and lower turnover costs, which can be a significant competitive advantage. It’s a fundamental human need to feel like we belong. DEI programs foster a culture of respect and trust, which strengthens teamwork and collaboration. Employees are more likely to share their ideas, contribute to projects, and go above and beyond when they feel like they are part of a supportive and equitable environment.
I saw this to be true when we started a new DEI group at Singlewire Software. Individuals lit up when they had the opportunity to enhance our DEI initiatives and we hired many people who were impressed that we had such initiatives.
Overcoming Systemic Inequities
Systemic inequities, such as racial discrimination, gender bias, and socioeconomic disparities, have long-lasting effects on individuals and communities. DEI initiatives are vital in addressing these entrenched issues by implementing policies, programs, and practices that specifically target inequality.
By raising awareness about these challenges and taking proactive steps to correct them, DEI helps dismantle the structural barriers that perpetuate inequality. This creates a more just society where everyone can live with dignity and respect.
It’s the Right Thing to Do
For all of the reasons above, DEI initiatives are overwhelmingly important. You can’t ignore the monetary and social gains companies and countries get from their diverse leadership teams and workforces.
After all, what kind of world do you want to live in? One in which you know certain people are struggling, or a society that’s striving to give everyone the chance to live a happy, fulfilled life?
What Can You Do?
There are a few things you can do right now to make a difference.
- If you work for a company and have some clout, follow Costco, Delta, Apple, and Patagonia’s lead and keep your DEI initiatives. Support the companies that are keeping their DEI initiatives at the risk of law suits from conservative law firms that have nothing better to do. I’ve almost never flown Delta in the past and this year I’ve already bought two Delta flights, and am planning a third. They’re going to be my new go-to for air travel.
- Boycott the companies that have already scrapped their DEI programs. The list is growing every day, but you can find some high profile companies here. They are companies like McDonald’s, Google, Meta, Target, Amazon, Toyota, etc. This week, I’m cancelling my Target credit card because I won’t be shopping there anymore. It may be hard to boycott every single misguided company, but do what you can, it will make a difference.
- Shop locally. Most major corporations are on the anti-DEI list, so one of the best things you can do is support the local businesses in your area. They directly create jobs and care about the cities in which we live. This has always been a good idea, but is now more important than ever.
- Check the Goods Unite Us app before making a purchase. This app tells you which politicians various companies are supporting. So, you can use it to ensure you’re supporting companies who are supporting others aligned with your values.
I, for one, will not be giving up on diversity and inclusion, ever. I hope you don’t either.