Clearing the Air: Addressing Leadership Buy-In and Resistance when Making the Case for DEI
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Do we really still need to “make the case” for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? The answer to the question is a firm “yes.” The assumptions and resistance often expressed by leaders is surprisingly similar to what it was 20 years ago. Fortunately, we now have much more targeted and effective strategies to address this enduring challenge. In this session, participants will engage with specific research and arguments utilized to effectively advocate for DEI work. Additionally, two common types of resistance will be explored, with participants learning how to diagnose and address both in the process of making their case. Finally, they’ll be given a template to apply their newfound knowledge to draft a case for DEI for their own organization.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe arguments to make the case for DEI.
- Describe two frequent types of resistance to organization-wide DEI.
- Describe how to diagnose and address leadership resistance.
- Implement a DIY template to create their own organizational business case.
Sara Taylor
Sara Taylor, President and Founder of deepSEE Consulting, has 35 years of extensive DEI experience serving local, national, and global clients. As a nationally recognized speaker and best-selling author, Sara’s thought leadership lies at the intersection of the fields of Unconscious Bias and Cultural Competence. Her models, and books have been used by tens of thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations to create greater inclusion and interpersonal effectiveness. Sara holds a master’s degree in DEI and Organizational Development from the University of Minnesota. Prior to deepSEE, she held positions such as Chief Diversity Officer and Leadership and Diversity Specialist.