Top Takeaways From DEI “Building a Global Work Community” Event

Advocacy News – February 22, 2022

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are more important than ever with the three-letter acronym tossed about frequently in today’s world, but why exactly does it matter so much and what can companies and organizations do to foster, build and sustain it? These growing questions, fueled in part by the strong business case, reported job seeker priorities and desire to do better, are why the Michigan Chamber today hosted a virtual discussion featuring some of the state’s leading DEI officers.

The discussion – part of the Chamber’s Signature Event Series and titled “DEI Officers on the Value of Building a Global Work Community” – featured a variety of Michigan companies and leaders like Isabel Medellin of Steelcase, Brad Mathis of Rockford Construction and Tim Williams of Meijer, moderated by Perrigo’s Kolene Miller.

You can watch the full recap here. Additionally, here are six takeaways that can hopefully be helpful in shaping the way you consider and implement DEI in your workplace:

1. Belonging is the starting point, and the intersection between diversity, equity and inclusion. While the panelists discussed “diversity,” “equity” and “inclusion” at length, workers cannot truly do this work or reach their full potential in the workplace unless and until they feel they belong. DEI elements must all work together and be the springboard to reach the place – especially in today’s remote-work environments – where workers of all backgrounds, skillsets, genders, ages, ethnicities, and more feel belongingness. Being accepted and feeling valued matters. A lot. It helps lead to deeper engagement and contributions to daily discussions with more transparency while sparking innovation and performance.
2. DEI increases performance among employees. When employees can see that their company is actively striving toward DEI goals and more importantly, explaining those goals and putting words into actions, they can and will show up each day without fear of being and bringing all of themselves into their work, deepening their trust and productivity. This also brings about genuine innovation, as all voices are allowed to exist without suppressing bit and pieces or trying to fit into just one mold.
3. Understanding the “why” behind DEI is essential. As Meijer’s Tim Williams summarized, not sharing or a lack of focusing on the “why” behind a goal will turn into a shallow task or to-do, which doesn’t generate the desired, long-term effects. DEI can’t be just a buzzword, it should be clearly communicated and foundational.
4. It’s OK and important to be vulnerable. DEI can be a sensitive or uncomfortable topic in the workplace. And no one has all the answers all the time. Creating a safe space to share, to ask and be able to say “I didn’t/don’t know” are important. Vulnerability can be awkward, but it can go a long way to building an environment when everyone is willing to show grace, compassion and communicate openly.
5. Allyship is a two-way street. While we commonly think of being an ally as supporting or advocating for someone else, it’s also about building accountability and sharing and learning from one another since we all bring something to the table. DEI is as much about allowing others to see where we come from and where we are at as it is about accepting, growing and learning from those different from us.
6. Building a diverse pipeline isn’t a one-time checklist or thing. It instead takes intentionality and cultivating all the factors that come into play, including perceptions and all processes – from job descriptions to hiring and recruitment. This should hold true regardless of company size or industry. Tackling these factors will pay dividends and allow talent to dig and cement roots with the right soil and environment to grow and thrive.

Special thanks again to all who joined us, our presenters and moderator for sharing their time, talents and experiences, and to all our sponsors who helped make this programming possible: General Motors as our presenting sponsor; Consumers Energy as our platinum sponsor; and Frankenmuth Insurance, Lake Trust and Perrigo as our silver sponsors.