S06 EP07: Next Steps - Let's Take Action

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In the final episode of the Masterclass for Allies and Trailblazers, Rianka and Katie are breaking down what organizations who are ready to take action on DEI need to know. Get ready to hear about the importance of not just earmarking money but also calendarizing time, and how to set and communicate the right expectations to all stakeholders. 

Rianka shares that when she has a call with a prospective financial advisor client, she reminds them that this work is an investment of both money and time. So, if you don’t have the time to commit, don’t waste your money.

Finding the right practitioner who can understand an organization’s specific needs and work within a set budget to achieve the identified goals will be critical to the ultimate success of the engagement. 

Katie shares that some organizations will be looking to do wholesome systems change, but only have the budget for skill building. That’s ok. 

She shares that while being nervous is normal, be sure to ask questions of the people you interview to help guide this important work and approach the process the way you would with other strategic consultants. Ask about their change philosophy, how reachable they are, and their experience with crises. 

DEI practitioners should be sure to make sure key questions are answered during the interview process to ensure that the client/advisor fit is right.

Rianka asks: what can small and midsize organizations expect from a time commitment standpoint? Katie shares that at her firm, Future Work Design, they dedicate about 6-8 weeks at the start of each engagement, and then organizations can choose a curated path based on what they need - from a few months up to a few years. 

Finally, Katie reminds and encourages organizations to center the needs of the people at the margins of this DEI work, and clarify how practitioners will communicate and engage with them. 

What you’ll learn:

  • The best ways for organizations to identify the right DEI practitioners/advisors

  • What time commitment organizations should anticipate when engaging in this work 

  • The importance of asking questions, despite being anxious, to ensure the success of a DEI program


Facilitator Questions:

  1. How has our organization considered incorporating DEI into the workplace?

  2. Can we identify existing allies in the workplace?

  3. Are we ready to commit to doing the work?


Show Notes: