In this conversation, Torin Ellis, a human capital strategist focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), shares his personal journey and insights. He discusses his upbringing, experiences with racism, and the importance of creating a workplace culture that is promising and not punitive.
Torin defines DEIB as follows: diversity is all that a person is and is not, inclusion is being in the same space and providing necessary resources, equity is providing accommodations for individuals to excel, and belonging is making individuals feel welcomed and wanted. He emphasizes the need for DEIB to be integrated into all aspects of an organization, not just recruitment.
Torin Ellis discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion in organizations. He emphasizes the need for intentionality in the hiring process and the importance of building new relationships and sourcing efforts to ensure representation. Torin also shares his personal experiences of facing bankruptcy and how he rebuilt his life and career. He highlights the significance of empathy in leadership and the need for leaders to develop, inspire, resource, and support their teams. Torin also discusses the challenges of assessing character and values in the interview process and the role of AI in supporting leaders.
For more on Torin, please visit: https://torinellis.com/info/
Check out his 36Hour D&I Intensive during the week of RecFest. I’m coming to London and am curating an intimate opportunity to ideate and shift the D&I effort.
And follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/torinellis/
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Takeaways
- DEIB is about more than just checking boxes; it requires a comprehensive approach that integrates diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into all aspects of an organization.
- Diversity encompasses all aspects of a person's identity, including race, gender, academic accomplishment, geography, and more.
- Inclusion means creating a space where everyone feels welcomed and providing the necessary resources for individuals to excel.
Equity involves providing accommodations and support to individuals based on their unique needs without lowering the performance bar.
- Belonging is about making individuals feel wanted and valued in the workplace.
- DEIB should be assessed at every value point in an organization, including talent acquisition, learning and development, supplier diversity, corporate social responsibility, and more.
It is important to prioritize diversity of mindsets and perspectives, not just outward diversity, to foster innovation and creativity.
- Companies should prioritize hiring the best candidate, regardless of their diversity, while also ensuring that their sourcing efforts are diverse and inclusive.
- DEIB is not about lowering the bar, but about creating a culture that values and supports all individuals.
- DEIB efforts should be modeled, substantive, consistent, and accountable across the organization. Intentionality is crucial in the hiring process to ensure diversity and representation.
- Leaders should focus on developing, inspiring, resourcing, and supporting their teams.
- Assessing character and values in the interview process requires consistency and a diverse interview panel.
- AI can play a role in supporting leaders by providing insights and helping them be more empathetic.
- The world is becoming more divided, and it is important for individuals and organizations to speak up against injustice and create safe spaces for everyone.
