Should DEI trainings be obligatory?

Do you think DEI trainings should be obligatory?

I know there are DEI leaders who share this opinion. I know that cause I’ve recently had some discussions about this very topic. I see the reasons and I acknowledge them, I know they come from the best intentions.

Yet, from where I stand, the DEI trainings should be voluntary.

If employees don’t want to participate in DEI trainings, they probably have their reasons for it and as much as the reasons may be triggering for us, I think they are valid.

In my opinion, it is not our role to question it and send people to DEI trainings, hoping that it will turn them into less hesitant, make them lower down their guard and “give in” to the whole DEI agenda.

It doesn’t work that way.

DEI topic is polarizing and it will continue to create more and more division in organizations, unless we engage everyone in the conversation. Engage, not force.

People have their reasons for being skeptical. They may fear that DEI will question their role and place in the organization, their status, their identity or their values. Those are related to strong needs and we can’t make people feel less threatened by telling them they should feel not threatened.

Instead, we need to:

-       Meet them where they are at

-       Understand and respect their concerns

-       Define clear opportunities for them

-       Reevaluate how we communicate about diversity by asking those questions:

Is majority actually part of DEI conversation in my organization?

Is our narrative potentially making them feel excluded from DEI work?

Are we truly showing how DEI is an opportunity for EVERYONE or are we unconsciously focusing only on some groups?

Majority group is part of the DEI conversation. The change won’t happen by forcing it.

Where do you stand?