DEI: Too Much Sameness
Brandon Clark
Chief Marketing Officer | Chief Growth Officer | Driving revenue growth & stakeholder engagement though innovative campaigns | Digital Strategist & Former CMO | Globally minded & Bilingual | Fitness Nomad
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), have become social and political flashpoints. As this is a business platform my aim is to keep my thoughts centered on how DEI impacts businesses, drawing from personal experiences.
Throughout my career at globally-reaching organizations, I’ve witnessed firsthand the repercussions of “too much sameness.”
What does this mean?
When decision-making, involves too many people with strikingly similar backgrounds, blindspots inevitably emerge.
Why these blindspots? Not due to lack of education, drive, self-awareness or good intentions, but rather the absence of diverse perspectives.
The obvious ones are race and gender and I’ve seen the profound consequences on a business when those perspectives are underrepresented.
However, “too much sameness” in my experience has also manifested itself when there is educational, geographical, social, and religious sameness - putting it broadly - near uniformity in life experience. Blind spots can still abound.
Can an organization led in such a way operate optimally in an increasingly diverse marketplace? With an increasingly diverse workforce?
Moreover, can their brand establish authentic connections in an era where trust in institutions, including businesses, is declining if their teams don’t mirror the market they serve?
Diversity isn’t merely about ticking boxes; it’s about fostering a culture that embraces varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. It’s the cornerstone of holistic innovation. enhanced problem-solving, and authentic connections with diverse audiences.
The essence of DEI lies not in obligation, but in recognizing its pivotal role in driving business success within an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
My experience tells me that the most successful organizations moving forward will not only embrace but double down on DEI. They will gain competitive advantage over those that chose to neglect it in favor of focusing on the culture and political controversies of the moment.