The learning for this week is the controversial subject of diversity, inclusion, and equity at the level of the Board of Directors. This subject is controversial on several levels – the resistance to share power, empowerment of non-traditional Board members, and the lack of convincing empirical evidence of the benefits of DEI within the Board. However, there is general pushback to this resistance because the values of DEI have been demonstrated in different contexts and the need to obtain diverse opinions on crucial long-term decisions that come to the Board can only benefit from openness and the welcoming of diverse viewpoints.
In this forum discuss
- the results and the conclusions reported by Creary (2019).
- The distinction between diversity and inclusion, when diversity might be a symbolic front, and why inclusiveness is also a requirement. Refer to Sing (2021) and Petersen (2022).
- Finally, ask yourself why the progress and influence of women at the Board levels remain stagnant. (Whitler (2018).