Is it “DEI” or is it “organizational management”?
A question that comes up from time to time in our work is some variation on whether an issue we have raised is “DEI” or if it is “organizational management”.
It’s a curious question, especially when it only ever seems to come from white or white appearing men about our work as women and gender-expansive people of color.
They are willing to accept that maybe they are “not good” at the “DEI side of things” ie discussions about race or gender or other aspects of identity… but that they’re all good on the “business side of things” thank you very much.
Or even if they’re not all good on the business side of things, heaven forbid they should have anything to learn about leadership or organizational management or the business side of things from us.
That’s how it can land, anyway, even if that is not what was intended.
And what I want to say is… you do realize that corporate culture in the US is directly rooted in the culture of slavery upon which this country was founded and built?
And that “organizational management” issues are driven by white supremacy culture characteristics such as sense of urgency, worship of the written word, perfectionism, power hoarding, individualism, quantity of quality and more?
And that DEI is not just about identity but it’s about equity and inclusion - how does an organization give its staff what they need to do their best work?
And that as women and gender-expansive people of color, we are literally experts in NOT being given what we need to do our best work because we have experienced it our entire lives?
Yes, as DEI consultants, we are biased, but we believe that whether or not you are aware of it or want to talk about it, you are perpetuating oppression and/or inclusion in everything that you do. There is no aspect of business, or life for that matter, where DEI is not relevant, whether you like it or not.
And that is the beauty and power of it.
DEI, at least how I conceive of it, is not there to trip you up or catch you out or shame you, even if that is how it can feel sometimes.
DEI is a powerful approach to creating better outcomes for all.
Self-coaching for DEI Advocates and Leaders
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