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Every leader is talking about implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but making it work in the real world is a whole different challenge. In today’s episode, we look at the evolution and controversies surrounding DEI with Dr. Frank Dobbin, Sociology Department Chair at Harvard University and Author of “Getting to Diversity.” We explore starting with JFK’s 1961 order for affirmative action and moving through the impact of the George Floyd protests. We also discuss why corporate DEI programs get both support and backlash, touching on Elon Musk’s call to end DEI and the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. Dr. Dobbin explains how DEI efforts democratize access to scarce resources like mentoring, and why it’s tough to balance the need for diverse teams with the goal of top performance. He critiques current DEI practices, highlighting why many traditional training programs fail and the importance of structural changes and inclusive recruitment.

Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!

Leadership is changing, what do you need to know so that you can lead effectively in 2024 and beyond? Each year I work with, advise, and interview hundreds of business leaders around the world to understand what they are paying attention to and why. I then look for the common patterns to connect the dots and put together what I think are the most crucial leadership trends. Learn what the top 8 leadership trends for 2024 are as well as what you should be doing about each one.

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