As long as we’re moving forward, slowly or quickly, missteps or pauses or jump-starts ahead, forward momentum and the realization that none of us run this marathon alone is crucial and what matters most. While some people are at step 500, sprinting to step 501. Some of us are at step one, crawling to step two. Leverage these questions on your DEI journey: “Who holds the data? How is it being measured (or not measured) today? What story needs to be told with this data to drive change?”Ĥ) Build Partnerships : My mentor once described DEI as a 1,000-step journey.

Leverage those mechanisms – stats, reports, charts, year over year change – to drive change. Consider these questions for self-reflection: “Do I build or tear down bridges? Do I create spaces for meaningful discussion or debate?”ģ) Analyze Data : Having spent over 20 years in corporate settings, I believe that what gets measured gets done. Building bridges that allow for conversations to occur is pivotal to the work of developing a human-centered workplace. So I propose we each ask ourselves, “Who are my key stakeholders? “How would they define transparency and authenticity?”Ģ) Invite Conversation : At Hummingbird, we discuss our role as culture-change practitioners for our clients and how we are often the architects of trust. And being transparent in the messiness of the DEI journey can feel counterintuitive when Corporate America has taught us that presenting the perfect image is the goal. As we navigate the ongoing pandemic and racial reckoning that has propelled many organizations to begin their DEI journey, we must remember that this work is messy it requires us to acknowledge our humanity. In addition to supporting a diverse myriad of clients on their DEI journeys alongside a magnificent team, I have the honor of collaborating with thought partners like Brian – and in this instance, I’m taking my shot at adding my perspective to his eight-prong DEI approach to promote another level of curiosity and learning:ġ) Make It Visible : In my experience, humility is the defining characteristic of great leaders. Helping Brian lead the Hummingbird Humanity team as the VP of Consulting is the epitome of privilege in my book, particularly on the heels of joining The Great Resignation and a mental health reckoning that brought me to my knees and pushed me beyond my comfort zone.* To me, privilege means I get to choose my career path – how I move along that journey, when I get to the “pinnacle,” if that destination even exists (shout out to my #ImposterSyndrome in the back!), and who I get to bring along with me.

Ifactor infographic