In this 27th episode of CultivatED Marketer, hosts Brent Bowen and Matt Tidwell, PhD, chat with Kim Clark, a consultant, speaker, and educator on DEI communications, as she shares how she transforms the way corporations approach DEI policies, making it more than just a buzzword. She also dives deep into the challenges, opportunities, and ROI that come with improving DEI efforts in the workplace.
CultivatED Marketer Ep. 27 — Moving Beyond the Buzzword: Kim Clark’s Approach on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conversations
The podcast episode starts off with an insightful conversation on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and messaging. The guest, Kim Clark, a seasoned DEI educator, and consultant, sheds light on how the journey towards DEI in the workplace goes beyond just awareness to the need for substantial and tangible changes. She points out that while 80% of corporations have DEI policies in place, only 25% of employees feel a significant change in their day-to-day work life.
Clark emphasizes the crucial role of communicators in understanding DEI and articulating its essence to the entire organization. According to her, communication professionals have a responsibility to not just understand the concept of DEI but also to convey it in a way that resonates with the organization’s purpose, mission, vision, and values. She also suggests that it is important to have historical and social context when creating DEI messaging.
Kim also draws attention to the correlation between language and behavior, asserting that the former can lead to changes in the latter. In this light, the role of an inclusive communications guide becomes paramount. She discusses her experience working with Sony PlayStation in creating an inclusive communications guide, reinforcing how it led to a shift in behavior within the entire Sony organization.
Effective DEI Commitment Statements and Strategies
Kim then dives deep into the necessity of moving DEI beyond performative gestures to purposeful and tailored action. She continues saying it is about demonstrating commitment through consistent action and tangible changes. She advises that organizations should use their core capabilities to make meaningful contributions to society, thus underscoring their commitment to DEI.
Kim provides a thought-provoking and in-depth analysis of how DEI should be integrated into an organization’s strategy. She emphasizes that DEI should not be seen as a side initiative, but rather, it should be woven into the fabric of the organization’s culture, influencing every aspect of its operations and communications.
Inclusive Communications Guide and Measuring ROI
Kim shares insights about the importance of having an inclusive communications guide within organizations. This guide goes beyond the usual glossaries of what to say and what not to say, and instead focuses on how language leads to behavior change. Thus, an inclusive communications guide aims to provide employees with a context of why respectful communication is important and how it benefits them.
She emphasizes that it is not about tone policing or political correctness, which often come across as external rules imposed on individuals. Instead, it is about giving people the tools to develop their own understanding and confidence in communicating respectfully with individuals who are different from them.
Kim stresses the importance of tailoring the guide to each client or organization, emphasizing the need to understand and respect the unique cultural and social contexts present within each organization.
In terms of measuring the return on investment (ROI) of DEI initiatives, Clark discusses the importance of considering both the tangible and intangible costs. From a financial perspective,