Q3, 2021 ISSUE OUT NOW

How can organizations take effective action to create inclusive futures? It is a question that has been given fresh impetus by events around the world over the last year. Protests against racial injustice in the US grew quickly into a global movement for change. At the same time, in many parts of the world, the Covid-19 pandemic was hitting disadvantaged and minority communities hardest of all.

Amid this, organizations are confronted by a stark truth: in too many businesses, progress on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace has been far too slow. In this issue’s Focus, we examine some of the key aspects of the work required to pick up the pace of change.

We look at the organizational, individual and team-level actions needed to unlock progress. We explore the need for DEI to be part of business strategy and examine the role of boards. We ask what more needs to be done to create cultures where women thrive. Finally, we consider techniques that can help create connections and break down in-group/out-group dynamics.