Takeaways from Courageous Conversations, DE&I 2023 Series Closer

Advocacy News – Oct. 4, 2023

The Michigan Chamber DE&I 2023 series closer  –”How to Have Courageous Conversations” – covered one of the biggest stepping stones or barriers our workplaces today: having difficult conversations when we are vulnerable in our lack or difference in knowledge to peers. Lolo Robinson from CATA eased us into the challenging subject, alongside our panelists, Aaron Sims of United Wholesale Mortgage and Dwight Bowman II of Gordon Food Service.

Here are the some of the program’s key takeaways to help build confidence for stepping into uncertainty within yourself, among your peers and at your organization:

1. Time is often the biggest challenge. In our culture of instant gratification, it can be a hard that DE&I is the antithesis to “instant.” True business integration takes years. At the core of equity, inclusion and belonging through diversity is the need to understand, value and reconcile differing identities and lifestyles. There is no one way to address such complex and emotional processes, which is why it makes all the difference that businesses are addressing these topics or even wanting to have courageous conversations. Lasting change can take place with prioritization and consistency.
2. Coordinating a regular meeting to address DE&I can work wonders. This is effective not only because it promotes leadership and organizational buy-in, but because it gives your team an opportunity to analyze wins, questions and roadblocks. It can also be a space to emphasize new resources and tools team members have found valuable in their journeys.
3. There is a link between recognition and feelings of inclusion in the workplace. While this may seem intuitive, it is often overlooked. There are many options to boost employee recognition –end-of-year awards, monthly department awards or peer-to-peer recognition systems are great examples Aaron gave to not only communicate an employee’s impact, but broadcast an individual’s value to the rest of the business. Everyone contributes to their organization daily, but sometimes also feeling seen in your contributions can make the difference between having rapport at work or finding work impersonal.
4. Take initiative to connect with coworkers with both different and shared identities. Dwight shared that he has done this through regular young professional or African American lunches. These simple but shared activities can help spur and prioritize listening, understanding and having courageous conversations, because people are known outside of just work-only connections.
5. Feelings are an essential part of the equation. DE&I is about people and identities, which means it is inherently emotional, and it will likely crumble if it tries to avoid feelings or lacks emotion or empathy sown into the process.

Catch a recording of the full event here.

Special thanks again to our platinum sponsor, Salary.com, and our supporting sponsor, CATA, for helping make the 2023 DE&I Series possible.