Article 8. EII and the Future of DEI: A Call to Action

What kind of future do we, and our children, have to live for tomorrow?

Many of us see and realize the growing controversy and fatigue around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) but there is strong evidence, hope and possibilities in the practical and human centered approach to Encouragement, Inspirational and Including others (EII).

Through the last seven articles, we have shared how EII turns DEI from abstract issues into true action; we talked about how EII is a learnable leadership skill; how EII turns DEI from abstract into action; where EII unites across differences, why EII’s success stories prove impact; how EII requires and builds courage; when EII respects intersectional complexity; and where EII holds us accountable for growth.

Now it’s time to look ahead to see where all of this can take us.

I would like to invite you to see yourself, not just as a supporter of EII but also, as a practitioner. We can be a practitioner by exercising the benefits. A quick list of the actions include, but are not limited to;

1. Encourage someone who feels unseen by scheduling regular catch-up meetings to hear their ideas that may have been shutout in the physical meetings.
2. Inspire someone by sharing a story of resilience or progress and how resilience helped navigate past transitions to reassure and motivate the team.
3. Include a new voice in a conversation or decision by using round-robin or structured sharing techniques to ensure everyone has a chance to contribute.
4. Reflect on your own growth where you have practiced EII by providing constructive, encouraging feedback, inspire colleagues to set and achieve goals and include diverse perspectives in evaluations.
5. Invite others to join you in this movement, not with pressure, but with purpose by asking others if they would like to join in exploring new ideas to improve their life flow?

EII is not a program. It is a practice. It is a mindset. DEI builds the landscape and EII builds the bridges that cross our landscape. And the bridges start with us.

Think about a time when you may have heard about a company's new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative and possibly felt a mix of curiosity with a little bit of hesitation. Like many of us, we wonder if these conversations make people uncomfortable. Could the conversations lead to further division or,  possibly worse, a misunderstanding?

It is true conversations around Diversity and Equity can sometimes feel complex or even challenging. They can be difficult especially when people are unsure how to contribute or how the words are explained or understood or worried about saying the wrong thing. 

But then, the conversation can change or improve when we introduce EII (Encouragement, Inspiration and Including others) and suddenly the focus shifts from potential pitfalls to bridges of strength where everyone can embrace the universal human need and desire to feel valued and want to feel motivated. 

We suddenly feel that we are part of the team through EII as each of us, with our colleagues, find a way to cut through hesitation. We can connect on a deeper level and even foster genuine engagement not just as a policy or social norm but as a shared experience between two or more of us that makes every voice matter.

While DEI can be the blueprint for a magnificent building or structure, EII is the daily sharing and caring that makes it a comfortable but vibrant living space. DEI sets the framework for fairness while EII is the energy that truly transforms a diverse environment into one where everyone can thrive.

As the EII mindset focuses on Encouragement and Inspiration, it naturally reduces any friction and builds bridges of collaboration and communication. Even when a person’s initial reaction to DEI might be hesitant, EII is the positive energy that explains how our support for one another, in spite of any differences of opinion, can help us achieve our true goals together.

When we embrace the EII mindset on a daily basis, we can become an EII champion through just a few clear, actionable steps:

• Actively Listen & Affirm: Encourage each other to seek out and genuinely value diverse perspectives, affirming contributions and eliminating negativity or fault-finding.
• Offer Genuine Encouragement: Suggest specific ways to uplift colleagues, friends, or family members. Compliment them on one of their ideas or suggestions.
• Be a Bridge-Builder: Promote initiating conversations with those from diverse backgrounds. Ask their thoughts about a positive idea or work in progress.
• Practice Intentional Inclusion: Think about who might be missing from a conversation or decision and actively invite them in to share ideas and knowledge.
• Lead with Empathy: Highlight the power of understanding others' experiences.
• EII Daily Challenge: Suggest a simple challenge for the week, e.g., This week, identify one person you can intentionally Encourage, Inspire, or Include others in a new way.
  
  

Our call to action is to step forward in our journey toward a truly inclusive and equitable world.

It is not a corporate or governmental mandate. It is a personal invitation to contribute to something profoundly meaningful. Fair and just for all. We must be active in the understanding that every small act of EII contributes to a larger, more impactful wave of change, a valuable, continuous improvement.

The value of DEI is not found in policies, it is found in people who choose to Encourage, Inspire, and Include others (EII). Let us be those people.

Life is what we make it so, let us make it Encouraging, Inspiring and Including others!

In the last two articles of this series, we will explore more aspects of EII and its powerful role as we put it into action, not just words. In article 9, we will share constructive ways to engage those who may feel skeptical and then close with article 10 on how we can sustain DEI efforts in the long run through EII.

9. Addressing Resistance to DEI and EII: Constructive ways to engage skeptics.

10. EII as a Continuous Journey: Sustaining DEI efforts for the long term.
 

EII moves us beyond aspirations, transforming theory into daily habits that shape our surroundings. By embracing Encouragement, Inspiration, and Including others, we cultivate spaces where every voice is respected, every person is acknowledged, and everyone is empowered to grow and succeed. 

Leaders who practice EII not only uplift their teams but also experience remarkable personal and professional growth in return, discovering deeper connections, renewed motivation, and the satisfaction of seeing their team flourish.

Let us step forward with intention: uplifting one another, sparking fresh ideas, and ensuring each individual has a place at the table. When we act together, we forge a future that is both united and energized by the unique strengths of every team member, and leader, who embodies EII. They find themselves rewarded with trust, loyalty, and a sense of shared accomplishment.

Thank you for reading my articles as your insights and experiences matter deeply. I invite you to share your reflections and stories with me as each perspective enriches our collective journey.

Your contributions may inspire others in upcoming articles, helping us all learn and progress. We grow stronger with every story shared so please feel welcome to reach out. With your permission, I may be able to use your insight in a future article.

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