Governance is key to diversity
Building strategic diversity and approaching diversity through governance is an especially good way of avoiding pitfalls and restoring the enthusiasm within organisations for promoting inclusion. By tackling diversity at the board level, organisations were often more able to go about things rationally while avoiding the fallacy of political correctness. By using both their hearts and their minds, board members with differing interests worked together constructively to make decisions, solve problems and tackle the complex, systemic issues facing society.
Different elements of developing a strategic diversity strategy
Chair people, Chief Executives, trainers and others looking for a way to tackle board diversity need to demystify diversity and provide compelling arguments in favour of adopting a more inclusive approach. The benefits of strategic diversity need to be highlighted.
Defining Diversity
Provide clarity on the confusion that can surround diversity. It is different from its cousin equal opportunities and it provides a win-win for everyone.
What Board Diversity is/isn’t
Understand what board diversity is really about and also what it definitely is not. Diversity is a mixture of voices, perspectives, experiences and skills.
Finding the “business case” for diversity
For many boards the most compelling argument for diversity is this: a strategically diverse governing body has the power to serve beneficiaries more effectively. William P. Ryan, a consultant for foundations and organisations and a research fellow of the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organisations at Harvard University, believes that a more diverse group can bring more perspectives, or “frames” to the table.
10 ways diversity can make your board more effective
Begin the conversation: discover 10 ways diversity can make your board more effective.
Start the board thinking about diversity and what it might mean for them.
Conducting a board skills audit
Provide information on the purpose of board skills audits and gives tips on how to do an audit.
Creating a Board Diversity Strategy
Look for tips on how to produce a diversity strategy or plan and includes 10 questions every board should ask itself.
Provide Different support
Different kinds of people have different needs. Provide support to trustees and tips on how to conduct better meetings.
Evaluating diversity success
It is important that measurable criteria are defined in the diversity strategy in order to check that the diversity efforts are working.