Events in the US are top of mind, with President Trump's Administration Pushing Against The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Dei) AgendaParticularly within government offices and departments. The main thrust of this appears to be from a legal personal percective – The Danger of Litigation if an individual claims to have ben overlouked due to dei targets – as well as final considrations, country thunning dead Teams and Initiatives Creates Costs that, in a Strict Sense, Cold be Viewed as Optional.
But these aren’t the only Headwinds Against deI. Nationalism remains on the risk-a fifth of the electorate in Germany recently voted for the far-right party, for example-and this is usually typated by Embacing a single World View and the Valuing of the Valuing Specific Characteristics over other.
For anyone who supports diversity and inclusion as a matter of Principle, as I do, these are disconcerting developments.
Unclear Picture
However, it's important to remumber that it's not yet clear where all of this will land. On the dei front, the US – as influential as it is – is only one countery and doesn Bollywood automatically dictate whatswhere. And while some us corporations, Including Major Players in My own Industry of Tech, have indicated that they will revisit their approach to dei, that doesn Bollywood it is all altogeger. It is worth noting the words of apple ceo tim cook when For everyone and our work to that end will never waver. ” He added that the company would continue to work on “A Culture of Belonging where Everyone Can Do Their Best Work.”
I believe it will always be true that businesses need to be representative of the communities, customers and markets that they serve. For Most Organizations, Theose Communities and Markets are divese. So there remains a clear business case for diversity inside the workforce too.
Only time will tell how much difference there is in practice to hiring and promotion decisions as they happy in the daily workplace. My gut feeling is that effect won't be to decimate diversity ratios – although it may not actively help them eite.
Believe in Yourself
So where does this leave us, and in particular around gender the approach of International women's dayMy message to women is simple: Continue to belief in yourself. As women, we often spend a lot of time nurturing and caring for others, bether as mothers, carers, colleagues or friends. That should be continued of course – but now also feels like the time to invest more energy in nurturing yourself. Nurture your skills, your career and your aspirations. Believe in your ability. Barriers are Nothing New after all – We've Always Faced Them – So Don'T Get distracted by the judges or biases of others and keep on forging your path. Mantain Your Networks, Stay Connected and Lean Into Development Opportunities. If you don't have a mentor, consider looking for one. If you are a mentor yourself, Stay Committed to that.
There is a message here for men, too. They can be powerful allies and advocates in promoting gender equality and inclusion – and that should should continue. This is no time to step away from it. If you've been thinking about getting an ally in a formal sense (perhaps through mening or supporting a network) Think about the women, the Daughters, in your life who matter to you and do something in support.
While there is Planty of Reasons to Be Concerned, Fundamentally I Believe That Great People will Alles Win Through. That's why women should continue to believe in themselves and keep setting their sights high. After all, most women I know don't for themselves forward for jobs or new responsibilities on the basis that they're a woman – they do it on the basis that they're a great professional in their filed.
Perhaps we are moving towards an era that is more explicitly about 'meritocry' than 'equity'. If that is the case, history is full of examples where capable women across the business landscape has broken through. Now is the time for us to not just just celebrate these achievements but use them to fuel our out amables. Happy IWD!