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I have a full time career managing software development teams, but I spend a fair amount of time on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work.
A common question I still get is, "What's the business case for diversity? What advantage do we gain by being inclusive?"
A common question I still get is, "What's the business case for diversity? What advantage do we gain by being inclusive?"
I understand why people ask this question. I can cite numerous statistics, case studies, and research papers that show how diverse and inclusive companies have better business results.
But, the business case for DEI isn't enough.
But, the business case for DEI isn't enough.
You can find countless examples of companies that horribly treat women, Black people, and other marginalized groups, but they are doing fine.
Actually, most of these companies soar. They manage high performance despite how terrible they are at DEI.
Actually, most of these companies soar. They manage high performance despite how terrible they are at DEI.
The business case doesn't erase these success stories. Trying to soley stand on the business case for DEI leaves you in the quicksand of skyrocketing growth and stock evaluations despite the bad behavior of these companies.
That's where the justice imperative comes into play.
That's where the justice imperative comes into play.
Abolitionists who worked to free Black people from slavery in the 19th century didn't need a business case. They did it because it was an act of justice.
Ask John P. Parker if he needed a business case.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Parker_(abolitionist)
Ask John P. Parker if he needed a business case.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Parker_(abolitionist)
The people who tried to protect Jews from the Holocaust in the 20th Century didn't need a business case. They were animated by justice.
Ask Corrie ten Boom if she needed a business case.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrie_ten_Boom
Ask Corrie ten Boom if she needed a business case.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrie_ten_Boom
Actually, reasoning from a business case would make one pro slavery. The entire American (North AND South) economy ran on slavery.
The same holds true for Germany under the Nazis. Anti-Semitism was very profitable, and companies who took advantage still exist to this day.
The same holds true for Germany under the Nazis. Anti-Semitism was very profitable, and companies who took advantage still exist to this day.
So, I get the reason why people ask for the business case. However, it takes more than proof of increased revenue, profits, and innovation to do the hard work of DEI.
You have to see the long injustices done to BIPOC and LGBTQ communities, women, and others, and say, "Enough".
You have to see the long injustices done to BIPOC and LGBTQ communities, women, and others, and say, "Enough".
That's the way we get glued to this work even when it hurts, when the media coverage passes, and when no one is looking.
When you can do that, you'll be following in the footsteps of freedom fighters.
That's surer footing than following the people chasing the business case.
When you can do that, you'll be following in the footsteps of freedom fighters.
That's surer footing than following the people chasing the business case.
