DEI isn’t magic, it’s real work. And it’s worth it. In this episode, Michael Baran unpacks what DEI work actually does and how it can make a difference. Along the way, he provides some actionable tips leaders can use right away to create more trust and inclusion.

DEI work is mistakenly thought to be only about quotas or the most extreme examples of “wokeness.” What is the work really? And how can it help organizations?

In this episode of The Culture Advantage, Michael Baran elaborates on different kinds of work that organizations do that falls under the umbrella of DEI. He breaks down some of the most common categories of that work and provides concrete examples for each.

Michael unpacks the work that it takes to assess where an organization might need to improve and where they are already doing well. He explains how surveys, focus groups, and interviews can help answer common leader questions and often provide surprising answers. He gives concrete examples of biases and habits that can get in the way of hiring practices, for example, and some common pitfalls to watch out for.

He'll also explain how DEI work has designed products and services to accommodate for disabilities, but in the process make work and life better for everyone. He also talks about how intentional DEI thought could have avoided some well-known PR disasters, such as the Kendall Jenner Pepsi commercial. DEI work could have saved a lot of time and money by ensuring a more diverse team in all stages of planning for that ad.

Finally, Michael shares about some of the work that DEI trainings can do. They may help leaders who don’t know how to lead a diverse team; they may help leaders who act more like bosses than leaders, delegating and thinking they have all the answers; they may help all employees build trust, have hard conversations, and work better together; and they might help individuals get the devoted attention they need to grow through coaching.

If you’ve been wondering what the day to day work of DEI really is, beyond the stereotypes, this episode will lay it all out, and it will help you see how this work is essential for thriving organizations, no matter what you call it.