Accountability is as crucial as the DEI measures undertaken. Here are four ways to ensure that.
Imagine this: An organization has kicked off its DEI initiatives. Midway, they no longer have the required steam to propel the journey. Who is going to raise the red flag? And, how is the team going to be steered towards the goals?
While diversity, equity, and inclusion are everyone’s responsibility, here is how accountability can be built:
Spell out, measure: When the list of tasks for DEI is being spelled out, ensure that you also have the means to measure the goals. As much as you ensure quantity, consider other aspects that guarantee quality. For eg: when you fix the % of hires for second career roles, look at the sponsorship programs offered for women in this cohort and the scope for career advancement.
Get effective with dashboards: The dashboards are scorecards for the organization to track a few deliverables on the DEI front. These dashboards not only ensure that they are tracked but are also transparent, making the efforts credible. For example, one look at the data can immediately help spot the issue with retention at any particular level. It can result in timely action.
Feedback: While it may seem like a dreary procedure—ascertaining the gaps and possibly receiving endless suggestions— the benefit of a great feedback system is understated. Being receptive and open to what employees say about measures and objectives can make the efforts credible and offer the chance to co-create strategies. These will illustrate the organization’s commitment and enable employees to witness and experience the same.
Hold people accountable: Often, it seems okay to hold managers and leaders accountable. However, a sound DEI plan holds the entire organization accountable. Companies have begun to share their DEI data with the board and investors apart from employees and the public. Some have tied bonuses of the executives to DEI targets.
Accountability ensures that the targets are not just met but also sustains through well-directed measures.
