Improving Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace through Action Learning (EDI)
In recent times there have been several global events that have sharpened our focus on the inequities in the world. There are many.
Here at ALC, Amy has been working with EDI champions across the engineering sector to help them create more inclusive workplaces and work cultures in which to recruit a more diverse work force. We have brought together an Action Learning Set made up of EDI champions who use the space to explore the challenges they face in this role and for themselves as humans in the world. The EDI journey should be challenging for all of us, it should stretch us to the core and having a space to explore this is important and can support you in your workplace to ensure the work is embedded and you and your organisation are exploring what it is to be truly inclusive.
We are passed the stage of needing to prove why diversity is important. However, as a reminder, the benefits of having a truly diverse team of people are well-documented. They include:
Greater creativity, productivity and innovation.
Enhanced decision-making.
Attracting and retaining talent.
Improved bottom line.
A better place to work.
The key to sustaining diversity is to create a culture where diversity is welcomed and the culture is inclusive; all voices and contributions are heard and included.
Creating inclusive, diverse workplaces takes more than just implementing policies, although this is important. Done well it takes courage as for most, it requires some inner work. Supporting staff to explore what this means, uncovering their bias, prejudices, and privileges, and taking a conscious look in the proverbial mirror, underpins the change required to transform the societal and institutional racism and the inequities that have prevailed for far too long.
The structure and safety of Action Learning themed on diversity and inclusion is proving to be a supportive place for those in EDI roles to be addressing their organisational challenges alongside exploring what it means for them. It is humbling to see as this is world work and goes beyond the workplace.
If you’re interested in your organisation using Action Learning to support its EDI journey or would like to join a Set with other EDI leads get in touch.