Editor’s Note

As the impact of coronavirus has disrupted lives and businesses, we face the possibility of entering a depression. Along with this, the recent series of violent acts of racism that led to nationwide civil unrest have resulted in confusion and chaos. All these together have brought a raw and painful conversation about equity to the forefront. What can leaders do to create a healthy and inclusive environment? This issue of Leadership Excellence, with a special focus on Diversity & Inclusion (D&I), includes articles that centre on why it is important to cultivate a workplace culture that inspires diversity, equity and inclusion.
 

Previous studies from the HR Research Institute show that many employers struggle to craft and implement excellent D&I practices. To better understand why so many struggle as well as how the best ones succeed, HR.com’s HR Research Institute investigated a range of topics in 2020. Some of the areas we dived into are the D&I landscape, including program maturity levels, the prevalence of inclusive benefits, who is typically responsible for D&I, and so much more. To learn more about how organizations might become more successful in fostering a culture of diversity, we invite you to download and read the complete report, The State of Diversity & Inclusion 2020.

As an organizational leader, you are quickly and repeatedly pivoting priorities, focus, and resources to sustain the health, safety, and continuity of your organization. Maintaining a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging will only strengthen the engagement and wellbeing of your teams at this critical and unprecedented time. Read Jesse Bridges’ article, Now Is NOT The Time To Set Aside Your DEI Strategy, for 3 takeaways on what leaders can do to create an inclusive, and productive work culture.

In times of crisis and uncertainty, those who can lead from a place of inclusion and high emotional intelligence will quickly differentiate themselves from those who cannot. In fact, these inclusive leaders will also likely be instrumental in their company’s ability to navigate crisis and ultimately succeed, says Susie Kelleher in her article, Why Leading Inclusively Has Never Been More Important Than It Is Now.

If your diversity work doesn’t make you uncomfortable, you’re not doing it right. Don’t stop when you start to sweat and you can feel your heart rate increase. That’s exactly when the work begins. Read Amelia Ransom’s article, Where Does The Work Of Diversity And Inclusion Start? for more insights.

Apart from these articles, there are a few other informative articles in this issue that explores some pressing topics related to diversity and inclusion. We hope you enjoy reading the articles and look forward to receiving your feedback.

Last but not least, we believe that there is no better way to connect with people than by sharing your leadership story. If you have one, send it to us.  

Happy Reading!
 

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