Season 1 Wrap-up & Introducing Season 2: “Why it Really Matters”

#006 This episode marks the end of Season 1. We’ll be back with new episodes next month, but we wanted to go over what we’ve learnt this season and give you a sneak preview of what you can expect from Diversity Secrets Season 2.

This first season was called “On The Job”, as we asked DEI professionals what it really means to work in DEI. Our guests shared their insights and expertise to successfully drive DEI in organizations, as well as the unique, and sometimes difficult, journeys that brought them to the work that they do today.

Season 2 is called “Why It Really Matters”. We’ll ask ourselves: Why should companies even care about DEI?
Through a new series of interviews with DEI professionals and leaders, we will explore the business case for DEI, as well as the social justice imperatives that push companies to act. Recent and prominent studies have reaffirmed the strong business case for diversity in corporate leadership and teams—and shown that this business case continues to strengthen.
So why is the corporate world making such sluggish progress towards diverse equitable and inclusive work places despite DEI being correlated with such clear wins?
We’ll hear from the researchers that have established the business case for DEI, as well as from the DEI leaders in the corporate world that are applying it to their reality. We’ll also talk to the activists and organizations raising awareness around the social imperatives to act now for DEI in the corporate world. We’ll apply theory to practice to find out what will trigger real, and sustainable change. 

So don’t forget to subscribe to not miss out on Season 2!
If you'd like to get in touch, let's connect on LinkedIn or via e-mail : louise.moulie@outlook.com

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Transcript

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Welcome back to Diversity Secrets, this is Louise Moulié, your host.

This episode marks the end of Season 1. We’ll be back with new episodes next month, but we wanted to go over what we’ve learnt this season and give you a sneak preview of what you can expect from Diversity Secrets Season 2.

This first season, we were on the job with DEI leaders and professionals across the business field and across the globe. We learnt what it really means to be tasked with building, implementing and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in ones organization. From getting senior management to lead by example, to rolling-out a DEI strategy that took a lot of convincing, diplomatic and stake-holder management skills to develop, our guests shared with us their insights, experience and advice to make it work. We discussed how to set goals and measure progress, how to adapt ones strategy to local contexts and cultures, how to build accountability and ownership for these goals, but also how to promote grassroot initiatives and local empowerment around DEI. We talked about boldly disrupting the status quo at the systemic level, and using our individual selves as instruments of change. Our guests insisted on the power of human stories and the importance of building the right narrative for real culture change within the company. We talked about celebrating acomplishments while being transparent about the pain points and aknowledging the jouyney that remains.

Beyond their pragmatic advice and valuable expertise, our guests were here to share their DEI stories as persons. They shared with us the unique, and sometimes difficult, journeys that brought them to the work they do today. They told us about their experiences of discrimination, and privilege, being part of dominant and minority groups, their diverse backgrounds that shaped their understanding of DEI and of the duty that they hold. Through honest conversation, they told us about the most frustrating parts on the job, and the most challenging ones too. The concrete impact that their work has on individual lives and on communities is the most rewarding part of their job. But they all told us it only comes with patience. Partnerships, collaboration, embracing disruption, as well as dialogue and empathy are at the heart of what they do. So we thank our speakers for joining us these last few weeks for truly inspiring conversations. We uplifted their voices with the core belief that the secret to successful DEI is learning from the experience of others, through meaningful dialogue.

Season 2 is called “Why It Really Matters”. We’ll ask ourselves: Why should companies even care about DEI?

Through a new series of interviews with DEI professionals and leaders, we will explore the business case for DEI, as well as the social justice imperatives that push companies to act.

Recent and prominent studies have reaffirmed the strong business case for diversity in corporate leadership and teams—and shown that this business case continues to strengthen. In other words, more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizations are also found to have greater financial performance, better results across the board, greater talent retention, more innovation and better resilience, and the list goes on.

So why is the corporate world making such sluggish progress torwards diverse equitable and inclusive work places despite DEI being correlated with such clear wins? Is the business case robust enough to drive real change? Is it applicable to the B2C and B2B sectors alike? Do recent social justice protests around the world, as well as the growing shift toward Corporate Social Responsability, and non-financial and ESG reporting have an impact on the rationale for promoting DEI in the business world? Is DEI today a business must, or simply the right thing to do?

We’ll hear from the researchers that have established the business case for DEI, as well as from the DEI leaders in the corporate world that are applying it to their reality. We’ll also talk to the activists and organizations raising awareness around the social imperatives to act now for DEI in the corporate world. We’ll apply theory to practice to find out what will trigger real, and sustainable change.

So don’t forget to subscribe to not miss out on Season 2!

We would like to sincerely thank our audience for tuning in every week, and spreading the word around them: the more attentive ears we get, the bigger change we can hope to see! Make sure to give us a review: your feedback helps us grow!

Until next time, remember that only by joining the conversation will you start driving the change!