Does Diversity Training Do What It Is Supposed To Do?

Advancing Women Podcast

Diversity training is aimed at interrupting problematic behaviors that can sometimes lead to a hostile workplace and inequitable opportunities, or lack of opportunity for certain groups. It’s meant to create a more culturally competent environment, to improve morale, help workers feel more committed to their jobs, help companies recruit and retain a diverse workforce and even increase productivity and creativity.

But does it do these things…and if not, why not? Also, is mandatory diversity, equity, and Inclusion training effective, and if not, how do we make the necessary changes to create solution that move the needle. Solutions that mitigate both the mindset and the behavior that is woven into the fabric of our organizational and institutional culture so we can create lasting, meaningful, measurable change.

Real change is not measured with words. It is not measured with input; it’s measured with outcomes. Changing culture must be a holistic process infused in every part of organizational structures - it is habits, habitual behaviors at the individual, team, and organizational level. We must identify the habits that are hindering equitable outcomes and create initiatives that create impact – measurable outcomes that prove what we are doing is moving the needle and creating real cultural change.

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References:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/phillewis1/2019/10/08/small-issues--big-problems/?sh=60455ba42650

https://www.pnas.org/content/116/25/12255

https://hbr.org/2020/05/why-sexual-harassment-programs-backfire

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/11/upshot/sexual-harassment-workplace-prevention-effective.html

https://yourstory.com/herstory/2019/05/women-leadership-sexual-harassment-workplace/amp