Your DEI Minute™

In this episode, Michelle covers some of the top ways to drive lasting DEI change in your organization, providing actionable insights for leaders at every stage of their diversity, equity, and inclusion journey. Drawing from extensive experience, Michelle outlines broad, mindset-shaping principles essential to making DEI efforts effective and sustainable, rather than just a box-ticking exercise. S...

In this episode, Jamey dives into the landscape of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) trainings, focusing on two common pitfalls organizations encounter when implementing DEI education. Jamey emphasizes that while education should be a foundational component of any effective DEI strategy, it is often mistakenly used as a one-size-fits-all solution. The episode highlights the importance of inte...

In this episode, Michelle covers microaggressions in the workplace, offering a thoughtful exploration of what the term means, how microaggressions manifest, and their profound impact on individuals and organizational culture. Michelle explains that microaggressions are verbal or nonverbal slights, snubs, or insults—whether intentional or not—that communicate negative or hostile messages based on a...

In this episode, Jamey covers the crucial topic of analytics and tracking DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) metrics in the workplace. He addresses common challenges organizations face when attempting to measure the effectiveness of their DEI initiatives, highlighting frequent mistakes like tracking either too many or too few data points, neglecting to set clear goals, and falling prey to conf...

At a time when it feels like DEI is no longer a priority, does the data share a different story? In this episode, MIchelle talks about the truth in what employees are look dives into the latest research on employee and employer demand for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the workplace. She highlights compelling data from recent studies, revealing that employee interest in DEI...

In this episode, Jamey discusses the importance of knowing how to recruit diverse talent and highlights strategies that organizations typically consider, such as forming partnerships with HBCUs, HSIs, and other underrepresented groups. Jamey also talks about the critical need to understand and improve the internal environment to support diverse employees. Addressing internal policies and practices...

In this episode, Jamey focuses on navigating religious diversity in the workplace by highlighting the integral role that religious beliefs and practices play in many people's lives and how these elements are naturally brought into work environments. The episode also discusses the challenges organizations face, from dress codes conflicting with religious attire to dietary requirements during work e...

In this episode, Michelle covers the recent updates by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) concerning harassment and discrimination in the workplace. After noting an increase in allegations over the past five years, the EEOC has consolidated its guidelines to clearly define what constitutes harassment based on various facets, such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,...

In this episode, the conversation centers around the recent executive orders under the new administration that are related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, and their impact on organizations. Michelle provides an overview of who is affected by these orders, focusing on federal agencies, contractors, and organizations receiving federal funding. She emphasizes the importanc...

In this episode of DEI Minute, host Jamey Applegate, senior director of DEI at Equity at Work, delves into the significance of supporting transgender individuals in the workplace. The episode begins by establishing foundational definitions related to gender identity, gender expression, and the gender transition process. Applegate underscores the importance of understanding these terms to foster a...

In this episode, Michelle continues discussing the top 15 myths about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), focusing on the last seven. Michelle begins by addressing the misconception that small companies can't implement DEI initiatives. She emphasizes that regardless of size, companies can engage in cultural observances, re-evaluate inclusive policies, and establish external partnerships to enh...

In this episode, Michelle dives into some of the biggest myths and misconceptions about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. This episode kicks off a two-part series. In the first part, Michelle debunks seven common myths that organizations often encounter. These include the misconceptions that merely recruiting differently will solve DEI issues, that changing review and promot...

In this episode, Jamey talks about creating trauma-informed workplaces. He highlights the significant shift in organizational culture over recent years, emphasizing the need for companies to allow employees to bring their whole selves to work, including any trauma they've experienced. He outlines the urgency of developing a trauma-informed workplace as a key component of a prosperous, inclusive, a...

In this episode, Michelle discusses the intricacies of how organizations can determine which social issues to weigh in on, especially given the highly charged nature of today's social environment. Michelle provides a detailed framework used to help organizations navigate this complex landscape. The framework includes key questions that companies should ask themselves to ensure that their responses...

In this episode, Jamey discusses the distinction between focusing on beliefs and behaviors within the context of DEI initiatives in the workplace. He talks about why DEI can be a polarizing topic, with some detractors questioning its value. Instead of getting bogged down by changing beliefs, Jamey argues for a focus on observable behaviors that can drive meaningful change. He outlines the various...

In this episode, Michelle discusses the crucial topic of supplier diversity as an effective way to extend DEI principles beyond the internal workings of an organization and into the community. Michelle outlines six key areas to consider when developing a supplier diversity program: mission and principles, KPIs and spending, sourcing and onboarding, support and development, tier 2 suppliers, and go...

In this episode, Jamey continues to talk about setting DEI goals using the SMART Plus framework. He discusses a real-world example of working with a large organization to implement unconscious bias training. By breaking down the goal into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound components, Jamey showcases how to develop and implement DEI initiatives successfully. He also emphasi...

In this episode, Jamey discusses the crucial topic of setting DEI goals within organizations. He first talks about the common misstep organizations make by jumping directly into DEI programs without evaluating their current standing or readiness, and without setting clear goals to track the success of these initiatives. The episode also talks about the importance of establishing DEI goals that ali...

In this episode, Michelle dives into the critical role of empathy within the framework of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She highlights the shift from traditional workplace norms that once favored emotional detachment towards a more empathetic and emotionally intelligent approach. Michelle discusses how empathy serves as a fundamental pillar for creating a psychologically safe and inclusi...

In this episode, Jamey dives into the concept of DEI readiness, discussing how organizations often rush into implementing flashy DEI initiatives without a deeper, data-driven strategy, which can lead to superficial changes that don't address underlying issues. Jamey outlines the importance of assessing an organization's current state before rolling out DEI programs and introduces three critical st...

In our previous episode, we discussed making a business case for DEI. In this episode, we cover some metrics and examples that you can apply to your own company. Recognizing the intricacies in articulating the benefits of DEI initiatives, Michelle outlines actionable steps to illustrate the diverse and far-reaching impacts of inclusion on your organization’s bottom line. From evaluating internal m...

You know you need a solid DEI strategy within your company, but how do you justify the cost of adding or cultivating one? In this episode, Michelle discusses the crucial task of building a business case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Recognizing the challenges that many organizations face in justifying and proving the value of DEI initiatives, Michelle outlines a stru...

In this episode, Jamey dives in to the critical topic of ownership of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within an organization. Jamey talks about how everyone in the organization should feel a sense of ownership and engagement in DEI efforts, creating a collective and inclusive environment. Jamey provides a comprehensive overview of the different roles and responsibilities essential for succe...

In this episode of Your DEI Minute™, host Jamey Applegate discusses the critical topic of psychological safety in the workplace. Psychological safety is the belief that one won't be punished or humiliated for speaking up, asking questions, or making mistakes. Jamey emphasizes that this concept is foundational for creating an organizational culture where employees feel secure and valued. When psych...

In today's episode, Michelle introduces a comprehensive DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) maturity model designed to guide organizations through DEI initiatives' systematic implementation and evolution. The model is divided into three primary stages: setting the foundation, operationalizing DEI, and expanding and enhancing DEI. Michelle discusses the importance of each stage, detailing the es...