More than a Feeling: Making Inclusion Measurable
Spotlight Series
Day 2
Session Code: SL-3When: March 28, 2023
Level: Advanced
Track: Innovation & Transformation
Presenter: Elizabeth N. Laine, Clearway Energy Group
Prerequisite: Attendees’ organizations have established organizational values and DEI goals, and active DEI operationalization work
Description
Historically, companies with DEI goals have focused on diversity rather than inclusion because it is easy to quantify. But inclusion is more than “a feeling of belonging” — it is a set of behaviors that can be measured, tracked, and improved over time.
Despite the focus on diversity recruiting, underrepresented groups are leaving these companies in droves. Diversity talent acquisition costs are increasing, yet representation has remained relatively stagnant for nearly a decade in this vicious cycle. It’s time to take a different approach and recognize that when the canary in the coal mine stops singing, the answer is not to throw 50 more canaries into the mine after it. Instead, we must recognize that there is an unsafe environment causing this failure to thrive. We have a duty of care to our employees and an inclusion-first approach can change outcomes dramatically.
In this session, award-winning DEI leader Elizabeth N. Laine will teach a proven approach to assess, define, target, and track values-aligned inclusive behaviors. Using this method, Elizabeth has increased attraction and retention of non-white, non-male employees by more than 60% year over year. This approach can be leveraged by any organization seeking to improve their capacity to define and measure inclusion so that underrepresented groups can be empowered and retained for the long term and stop experiencing failure to thrive.
Learning Outcomes:
• Define and assess values-aligned inclusive behaviors within an organization
• Measure and track inclusive behaviors and inclusion KPIs
• Explore iteration with cutting-edge approaches for accountability in improved retention and success