Is A DEI Career Path Right For You?
When you were little and were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up, was your answer ever anything other than a doctor, lawyer, or perhaps a firefighter? We each come to a point in our lives when we realize what we once thought we would or should do, is no longer what we are called to do. Whether or not you come from a marginalized group, it’s possible that with the rise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace, perhaps combined with some personal experience or your perspective of the world in the last 5-10 years, you’ve found a level of interest in it that you didn’t know was there, and have wondered what qualities are required to work and succeed in a DEI role, whether it’s as a DEI Consultant, or a Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.
Oftentimes, DEI personnel find themselves making the move to such roles from a Human Resources position, because of the insights related to company policies, protocols, and compliance requirements, which makes certain elements of DEI roles a more seamless transition. However, there’s no actual requirement to move into a DEI role, but there are certain qualities for DEI that, regardless of experience, one should be able to identify from within.
The Most Common Misconception
When you think about the top qualities for DEI, it’s easy to fall into the notion that just because you’re a person of color or a member of a marginalized group, you qualify as a leader in DEI. Assuming this is a large part of the reason why burnout among DEI employees is so prevalent. According to a 2021 study, 76% of companies still don’t have DEI implementations or goals, and only 32% require any type of DEI training. Translation: while the cause is as noble as they come, the workload in DEI is not for the faint of heart. Unfortunately, DEI roles are sometimes created by companies as more of a compliance matter than an accountable step towards creating change in the workplace.
It's important to highlight this because, in the words of author James Baldwin, “the price one pays for pursuing any profession, or calling, is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.”
Well, that got intense quickly! As challenging as DEI can be, it can also be a very successful and gratifying experience, if/when approached with both passion and logic. There are probably hundreds or thousands of necessary qualities that can contribute to a solid career, but there are a few top qualities to work in DEI. Here are the must-haves in order to thrive on a DEI career path.
Top 3 Qualities To Succeed On A DEI Career Path
Self-Awareness- This quality is one that doesn’t typically show up on a resume, because there’s no metric for it, it’s very difficult to support this notion, but it’s the number one quality required because it’s the most difficult to execute, and it’s what prevents anyone who’s considering DEI from falling into the aforementioned trap. Not all people of color or members of marginalized groups are qualified, but most would probably agree on how important DEI initiatives are. Furthermore, according to Barclay’s research outlined in CNBC, “companies’ consideration of diversity & inclusion is not only important on the basis of values; it also has material impact on their long-term performance.” Practicing self-awareness allows you to do the right thing, for all the right reasons, and for the benefit of everyone, individually and collectively.
Visionary & Strategic Leadership- While leadership can be subjective and anyone, regardless of a title, position, or level of authority can carry out different forms of leadership, there are levels to it, and one of those levels is the vision and strategy that comes with being a leader. It’s wonderful to demonstrate leadership and speak up in favor of more Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, but how does that translate to a long-term vision, and what’s the strategy to ensure you build something sustainable? To lead is always good, but to pair leadership with vision and strategy is next level, and imperative to succeed in your DEI efforts. Corporate Compliance Insights, a global news outlet for Ethics, Compliance, Risk and Information Security, compliments Netflix for their job well done in DEI, their Employee Resource Groups - Black@Netflix and Dream@Netflix (for immigrants and their allies) – among the strongest accolades.
Change Management- Herein lies the most integral element to succeed in DEI – the skill of bringing the strategy through to execution. As a basketball coach for a girls’ 7th grade team, I once had a situation at the end of a game where I drew up a play during a timeout, I saw how it could and should have developed, and I communicated that strategy to the players, only for them to go back on the court and not even get a shot off before the buzzer sounded. I instructed someone to use their non-dominant hand without having provided fundamental coaching or the preparation or repetition needed for her to succeed in that moment. In the same way, change management requires one to think through every possible hindrance or obstacle that could derail your goal. Surveying employees to learn what it is they need, putting the right people in certain positions, providing education, tools, and resources, and being held accountable for progress and/or results is just the tip of the iceberg. In a way, Change Management is a lot like being a head coach, so be sure to start with the fundamentals!
Take Action Towards Your Career Goals
Once you identify your interest in DEI, how do you proceed without any direct, previous experience or certification in the field? How does a marketing, finance, or sales professional illustrate how or why he/she is qualified to be considered for such a responsibility?
Out of all the questions around DEI, that’s the easiest one to answer. At The Wilbanks Consulting Group, our career coaches dive deep into your experiences to dig out intangibles and transferable qualities that pinpoint exactly why you might belong in DEI. Most importantly, we can help you highlight them on your resume and cover letter/biography, or perhaps how to articulate them during an interview, so that you take that leap of faith with the utmost preparation and confidence.
“Holly’s coaching and wise counsel has been invaluable. I now feel confident in my strengths and career decisions. Holly helped me change the trajectory of my career and my future is now filled with potential and opportunity. I could not have made the leap without Holly”
Reach out to The Wilbanks Consulting Group if you are considering a transition into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in your future, or any other career service you might need. We can help you determine if that’s the right career move for you, or help you strategize different ways to become involved in DEI now, so you can ultimately align your career with your true passion, as everyone should!