Our corner of the internet is a place to laugh, but it’s also a safe space to get curious and learn. Currently, there is a hot button issue in our nation around the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. DEI has been in the news so much, it’s starting to sound like a meaningless buzzword to me. I wanted to dive deeper into understanding DEI and the issues surrounding it, so Kim and I invited award-winning entrepreneur and CEO, Donald Thompson, on our podcast this week.
Donald Thompson is a friend of ours with an extraordinary career creating and leading companies spanning many industries. One reason I love talking to Donald is he’s always focused on creating better business outcomes. He does a great job blending business ethics with a goal of making businesses more money. Donald shares his thoughts on DEI and how changes in approach can improve the bottom line.
A Better Workplace For All
“It’s hard to play the game of golf well with one club,” explains Donald when thinking about how a diverse workforce can be beneficial. “That’s why you have 14 clubs in the bag, because in different situations each club has a role. Each club is different. But it all contributes to having a successful round of golf.” In his mind, DEI is not about quotas, lowering standards, or benefiting one race or gender over another. At its core, it is about creating a better workplace for all.
Donald explained that DEI is about better parental leave policies, equal pay for equal work, and expanding your hiring pool by not just hiring from the same universities. He believes that the intent of DEI should be about creating a better business. A business that makes you money, saves you money, and reduces your risk. However, in light of the negative connotation of DEI, some businesses are rebranding their intentions to be more clear.
Finding A Middle Space
Kim has been craving a space to have more of a middle ground around issues. She wants to listen from people on both sides of arguments and learn where they are both coming from. Ground News has been a source for her to understand if news articles are leaning left or right, but she really wants to understand why. I do too. I believe that more understanding of each other would make our world a better place.
