Authentically Adopting a Culture of DEI

As the Founder and CEO of Amp Up Your Voice, a progressive anti-racism Equality and diversity consultancy, Johanne Penney partners with modern companies and organisations to help them drive real change for an equal and inclusive work environment. This partnership elevates their brand and aligns them with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Driving Real Change in Equality & Diversity

The Challenge of Achieving Real Change

However, this journey is not easy. Real change is moving at a glacial pace. But what exactly needs to happen to level the playing field and make equity the norm for Black and Ethnically Diverse individuals and groups?

The Impact of 2020 on Awareness and Action

The year 2020 raised global awareness of the issues people of colour have faced for years. The murder of George Floyd highlighted inequity in all areas of life, including the workplace, where systemic racism is deeply rooted. The disparities in job opportunities, leadership positions, and the ethnicity pay gap significantly impact Black and Ethnically Diverse individuals.

The Dire Situation of Diversity in Leadership

Particularly concerning is the situation for Black women, who face severe challenges in advancing due to intersectionality. The statistics are alarming. As reported by The Guardian in February 2021, there was a drop to zero Black executives in the top three roles at FTSE 100 firms, marking a troubling decline in boardroom diversity.

2021: A Call to Action for Businesses

This brings us to the critical question: Where do we stand in 2021? The industry recognises this as a call to action. Businesses must move from theoretical education to practical, tangible changes. The ultimate goal is equity, defined as the fair distribution of power, opportunity, and access across an organisation.

How to Ensure Authentic Change in Your Business

So, what can businesses do to ensure that Black and Ethnically Diverse voices are genuinely heard and listened to? It involves ensuring tangible change in recruiting, promoting, protecting, and investing in these individuals. Are you placing those with the right skills, knowledge, and experience into senior positions where they can excel?

Building Awareness and Valuing Equality & Diversity

This journey is about building awareness, fostering a valued culture around equality & diversity, and translating that into your business’s recruitment and investment patterns. Equality & diversity training alone is not enough; the tick-box approach has proven ineffective in shifting the dial towards true equity.

The Long Road to Deconstructing Systemic Racism

We recognise that there is no quick fix. The current situation results from years of systemic racism in the workplace, and it will take years to deconstruct. The journey involves self-reflection, challenging existing perceptions, and understanding one’s biases—an essential path for individuals and organisations.

The Role of Leadership in Driving Change

Leadership teams must be fully committed to this journey, leading by example. Authentic and visible commitment from leadership is crucial to fostering a culture of equity and diversity that the workforce can emulate.

Reflecting on Leadership Representation

A good starting point is to reflect on the demographics of your leadership team. If your board is predominantly white and/or male, meaningful change is unlikely to occur. Representation is critical; without it, policies and processes will likely be skewed towards those in power.

Tailoring Your Approach: No One-Size-Fits-All Solution

Recognising that no ‘one size fits all’ approach exists is essential. Businesses are at different stages in their journey. Each should conduct a needs assessment to identify gaps, knowledge, and practical steps most relevant to them. A strategic approach will yield the most success.

The Importance of Acting with Conviction

Businesses must act with conviction to be successful, modern, and progressive. The conversation on equality and diversity is rapidly evolving, and businesses must keep pace to survive in this dynamic environment. This journey of continual education and self-improvement is vital. Are you ready to take the lead?

Learn More and Book Johanne Penney

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💡 Johanne Penney is a professional trainer, facilitator, speaker, mentor, and writer. To learn more about how you can achieve these goals, book Johanne for an inspirational talk. Email us at  hello@getapeptalk.com  or send us a message via chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk!

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