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DEI&B: Where Did The ‘B’ Come From And What Exactly Is It
D&I. DE&I. DEI&B. While the acronym can keep changing, the one constant is that employees, regardless of their demographics, faith, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, ideologies, etc, want and deserve a safe working environment. While most organizations are already aware of the DE&I part of things, the ‘B’ seems to be a bit of a mystery.
Let’s break it down.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
According to diversity thought leader, Verna Myers, “Diversity is like being asked to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”
Diversity simply means that there are a diverse group of people in the offices and board rooms. Equity means they all have equal opportunities to succeed and grow in the organization. Inclusion is when those diverse employees have an equal say in matters. Put together, diversity, equity and inclusion ensure everyone is seen, heard and included in an organization without any biases.
So, what exactly is Belonging and why is it even needed
Most organizations might feel that they have a DE&I policy which may seem like it’s enough to create an equitable workplace. But does it really work?
Let’s take the example of the party. You’ve been invited to it; you’ve also been asked to join in the dancing. While all of that is pleasant and you appreciate it, wouldn’t it be even better if you were part of the planning process for the party? Wouldn’t you truly feel like you belong in the party if you had also helped plan it?
Every DE&I effort would be futile if people don’t even feel like they belong at the organization. Belonging centres around employees feeling accepted at the workplace. It makes a person feel valued and respected.
When a new employee’s ideas and perspectives are heard and accepted, they feel like they’ve arrived at an organization where they truly belong. This leads to confident new hires, increased productivity, and collaborative teams. It also leads to new, innovative ideas and fresh perspectives, both of which have the potential to lead to the achievement of organizational goals.
Create a truly diverse organization
The benefits of a robust DEI&B policy have been established time and again. To know more about how you can create a more diverse organization, contact us now!
