EII as a Continuous Journey - Sustaining EII efforts for the long term.

Thank you for your help and support with my series on EII, Encouraging, Inspiring and Including others.

For the last nine articles, we have addressed:

1. The Why behind EII – Making DEI Tangible
2. EII as a Skill Set: Building inclusive leadership and making DEI accessible.
3. EII and the Power of Unity: Bridging divides and creating belonging.
4. EII in Action: Real-world success stories.
5. The Role of Courage and Vulnerability in EII: Strengthening connections through vulnerability.
6. EII and Intersectionality: Addressing the unique challenges of intersecting identities.
7. EII and Accountability: Measuring progress and fostering responsibility.
8. EII and the Future of DEI: Inspiring change through action.
9. Addressing Resistance to DEI and EII: Constructive ways to engage skeptics.
   
   

Today’s article, the final article in the ten-article series, EII as a Continuous Journey: Sustaining DEI efforts for the long term encourages us to continue this journey going forward.

It has been quite a journey together, hasn’t it? 

Through nine articles, we have seen the incredible power of Encouragement, Inspiration, and Include others (EII) and how it breathes life into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). 

We can see how EII turns big ideas into everyday actions, builds amazing leaders, bridges the separation between people, and even helps us brave the tough conversations. We have championed courage, understood the beauty of intersectionality, and learned to hold ourselves accountable. 

Now, as we wrap up this series, Let us talk about something truly important: EII and DEI are not just pit stops; They are continuous, evolving adventures that we embark on for life!

I know there are political views that try to align DEI with a negative label of political correctness that they feel has gone too far, but, like any effort, the uninformed are going to create issues. All concepts, personal and professional that are overly confusing because of lack of definition creates negativity.

Confusion creates the quick answer of “no” to all questions. If we do not understand or if a concept is pushed without clarity or defined value,  it is bound to fail. One person’s thoughts on the color green, for example, may be a shade of purple to another.

Once we Encourage, Inspire and Include others (EII), we continue planting the seeds of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) just as strongly as Independence Day in the U.S.A. shouts the values of freedom year after year.

Our freedoms in the U.S.A. are celebrated on one glorious day every year but the struggles to achieve that freedom took generations as many struggles continue through our courts today.

1. This Is a Journey, Not a Shortcut

If there is one truth that runs through all ten articles in this series, It is this: EII is not a one-time fix. It is a process of continual, ongoing improvements. It asks each of us to lean in, to listen better, to reflect more often, and to be willing to adjust how we treat others, and ourselves, based on what we learn.

That can be humbling. But it is also freeing. We may never reach perfection but it can be our goal.

Some days we will get it right. Some days we will mess up. What matters is that we never give up, we continually Encourage, Inspire and Include those around us. We offer inspiration when the road gets tough and we continue to make room for others at the table, no matter where they may be in their journey.

That is why I encourage all of us to treat EII not as an item on a to-do list, but as a lifestyle and a mindset. It is a compass that helps guide how we speak, how we lead, how we make decisions, and how we respond when life throws us curveballs. The best of the best know this is true.

2. Keep Learning, Keep Growing

Just like we would not expect to master a musical instrument, or any other goal, after one lesson, we should not expect to become encouraging, inclusive leaders without intentional growth.

This journey invites us to enjoy becoming lifelong learners. It is about staying curious, checking in with ourselves, and continuing to develop the awareness and skills needed to better support those around us.

To support that, here are a few ongoing learning resources to explore:

• Books: “The Person You Mean to Be” by Dolly Chugh or “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown.
• Podcasts: Achieving Unity Success Formula, Code Switch, Unlocking Us, The Diversity Gap and many more.
• Courses: Platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, and local colleges offer free or low-cost DEI and leadership programs.
• Reflection: Keep a journal where you ask: “Who did I encourage today?” “Did I include someone who felt left out?” “How can I inspire differently tomorrow?”
  
  

What we learn does not always mean formal education. It might be a heartfelt conversation with someone who sees the world differently or us admitting maybe we did not have all the facts and we can go back to listen again. That is growth. And that is what makes EII real and valuable.

3. DEI is a Journey Too, and EII Fuels the Way

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), like EII, is not a checkbox or a corporate policy to roll out and forget about. It is a process of moving forward, sometimes slowly, but always with intention. And EII, Encouraging, Inspiring, and Including others, is what helps keep that momentum alive.

Think of DEI as the map, and EII as the engine that powers us down the road. Encouraging reminds us that everyone needs support, especially when stepping into spaces where we have not always been welcomed.

Inspiration gives us the energy to dream of better systems and stronger connections. Including ensures that we do not just invite people in, we actually listen to them, value them, and create spaces where we can all thrive in Unity.

Together, DEI and EII help create environments, at work, at home, and in our communities, where belonging is not just a buzzword, but a joyful, lived experience.

And because our world keeps changing, our approach must keep evolving too. That is why we have to remain open, flexible, and willing to adjust our listening as new voices, ideas, and challenges emerge.

4. How to Keep DEI and EII Going Long-Term

Let’s face it: long-term improvement takes long-term commitment. It is easy to start strong and then lose steam. But the good news is that there are simple, steady ways to keep DEI and EII alive in our daily lives, our homes, corporations and organizations.

Here are a few ways to keep the flame burning:

• Make DEI and EII part of our culture, not just the calendar. Do not wait for heritage months, sporadic holidays or crisis moments to talk about them. Instill them into your team meetings, hiring processes, events, and even informal chats.
• Celebrate small wins. Did someone step up to lead with kindness? Did a team make space for a new voice? Did your group listen to feedback and make a change, a difference? Celebrate that. Momentum builds through acknowledgment.
• Empower everyday leaders. You do not have to be the CEO to make a difference. Invite others to lead meetings, create discussion circles, or share their experiences.
• Hold space for feedback, and act on it. When someone is brave enough to speak up, meet them with gratitude and curiosity, not defensiveness. Breaking ideas down to specific values is much better than problems that stale because of procrastination.
• Revisit your “why.” Why does DEI matter to you? Why does EII resonate with your values? Keep that close. It is your anchor when the waters get choppy.
  
  

And finally, as you have seen in all ten articles, you can have fun with it. 

Yes, this work is serious, but it can also be joyful, creative, and full of connection. When we lead with heart, people notice when you are smiling and they follow.

Let us take action, Encourage others, Inspire new perspectives, and Include everyone in the conversation. Together, we can build a more united and empowered future.

Your feedback, feed-forward and stories are important. Please send your ideas, and your stories, to me today. I am honored to collaborate with you and use your ideas, and/or stories, in a future article. We cannot succeed with what we do not know. Reach out today.

Encouraging, Inspiring and Including others begins here, it begins today, not because it’s easy, but because it matters.

  

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