Running on Fumes — Why Many DEI Leaders Are Fighting Fatigue and How to Address It
60-minute Workshop
Day 2
Session Code: S3-FWhen: March 28, 2023
Level: Intermediate
Track: Diversity Leadership
Presenters: Renu Sachdeva, Talking Talent | Teresa Hopke, Talking Talent
Description
DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) work, as inspiring and imperative as it is, can really take a toll on a person’s well-being. This is especially true for DEI leaders who are heavily relied upon to address issues around bias, discrimination, microaggressions, inequities, gender disparities, and other DEI-related topics within their organizations.
And given today’s social climate, many DEI leaders are fighting fatigue, managing their own mental and emotional wellness around a series of domestic and global crises — while still needing to show up for the people who are depending on them.
DEI leaders have some of the highest turnover rates among executives, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The average turnover for a diversity executive is three years, as opposed to more than five years on average for other C-suite positions, such as CEO, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer. Among the list of reasons given by DEI professionals choosing to leave (lack of budget, resources, and leadership buy-in, for example), burnout tops them all.
DEI leader, do you feel like you’ve been running on fumes? How are you fueling yourself? This session gives you guidance on how to navigate the challenges of leading through burnout, focusing on resilience strategies and on reconnecting your personal mission and vision with your role as a DEI professional.
Learning Outcomes:
• Identify ways to protect yourself from overwhelm before it sets in
• Develop resilience strategies for self-care while building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace
• Reconnect with your mission and vision and gain clarity on what is within your circle of control and what sits outside of it