The new administration has moved swiftly to dismantle decades of progress in fostering fairness and equity in the workplace. With the stroke of a pen, efforts to bridge differences, build understanding, and empower individuals to bring their full potential to work are being undone. The pressing question is: Does it have to be this way? Can DEI efforts persist without strong policies and courageous leadership? The easy answer is no. But can they endure nonetheless? To that, I say yes. Here’s why.
The Workforce is Changing—and So Are Business Needs
Executive orders and short-sighted corporate decisions cannot change the demographic reality of our nation. The U.S. is more diverse than ever—across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and lived experiences—making today’s workforce vastly different from when DEI efforts first began over 60 years ago.
Companies and government agencies will always need employees. As immigration restrictions tighten and visa approvals dwindle, organizations will be forced to reevaluate their talent strategies. DEI may no longer be driven solely by moral imperatives, but it will become an operational necessity. Leaders who make exclusionary choices today will soon find that maintaining a diverse workforce is essential for survival. The tide will shift—not out of goodwill, but out of practical necessity.
The Pandemic’s Lesson: The Cost of Ignoring DEI
The pandemic reshaped how we think about employment and compensation. Before COVID-19, fast-food workers earned $7-$10 per hour. In the aftermath, we saw “Help Wanted” signs advertising wages of $16-$18 per hour. Why? Because the cost of labor changed when the risk to workers changed. Companies that prioritized employee well-being had an easier time attracting and retaining staff.
The same will be true for DEI. Companies that abandon their inclusion efforts now will struggle to regain trust and rebuild in the future. Restarting DEI initiatives from scratch will be far more costly than staying the course. In contrast, companies like Costco and JPMorgan Chase, which have remained committed to DEI, are positioning themselves for long-term success.
The George Floyd Effect: A Shift in Public Awareness
One of the strongest reasons DEI will endure is the collective awakening sparked by George Floyd’s murder. The world bore witness to an undeniable injustice, captured in a nine-minute video that changed how many people understand systemic inequities. That moment made us more conscious of the disparities that exist in schools, workplaces, and communities.
Today, the demand for fairness extends beyond traditional racial and gender divides. People of all backgrounds increasingly expect others to be treated with dignity and respect. The challenge now isn’t just about representation; it’s about maintaining the philosophy that every individual has something valuable to offer and should have opportunities to contribute meaningfully.
Inclusion: A Mindset, Not Just a Program
President Trump’s cabinet appointments reflect some diversity of background, yet their unity is built on loyalty to him rather than a shared commitment to DEI principles. This underscores an important reality: inclusion isn’t just about who is in the room—it’s about the values they uphold.
True inclusion isn’t defined by policies, quotas, or checklists. It is a way of thinking and operating that recognizes the strength of diverse perspectives. This is the conversation we must continue to have.
I am working on something to bring us together for these discussions, and I invite you to be part of it. Please share your thoughts in the chat. Our power lies in open dialogue. Let’s keep talking, sharing, and learning from one another.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. My old bowling coach used to say, “You have to play your hand.” In other words, stay in the game. Keep pushing forward. The tide will turn, and when it does, those who remained committed to equity will be the ones leading the way.
Dr. Lisa
I usually offer a song because I love music and lyrics. This blog prompted a poem — found on the walls of Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta — that I think speaks to exactly where we are.
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful,
you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and truthful,
people may deceive you.
Be honest and truthful anyway.
What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today,
people will often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
You see,
in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
it was never between you and them anyway.