Now is the time to double-down on inclusion

We are all in this together. Never has that statement felt truer than right now. Since I’ve stepped into the role of Chief Inclusion Officer for Deloitte, I’ve discussed the need for us to advance inclusion. But at this current time, fostering an environment where everyone feels like they belong is especially paramount.

Here are three steps that each of us can take to be more inclusive now:

• Practice extreme compassion – As someone who strives to act as an ally, I often challenge myself to see the world from someone else’s perspective and understand what they are going through. This current situation is impacting all of us, but in different ways. Some are experiencing loss. Many are struggling with work and family obligations. Others are feeling isolated. There are those that are having to manage stress as their work and stability becomes more uncertain. Now is a time to practice extreme compassion. Even if you don’t know what someone is going through, offer kindness and understanding in your interactions. Everyone has a different story.
• Connect in new ways – One of my goals has been to ensure that our people recognize that inclusion remains a priority. One way that we’ve accomplished this is through rolling out a series of virtual inclusion toolkits. Over the past month, we have developed virtual events, activities, and exercises for our people to connect with one another and continue their role in advancing our inclusive culture. We have also hosted Inclusion Council virtual sessions. I’ve had the opportunity to engage with our Inclusion Councils across our offices through a virtual fireside chat with the Inclusion Council champion and myself, followed by a Q&A session. It’s been a privilege to virtually meet so many professionals and hear their experiences and stories.
• Share your own struggles – Right now, anyone can feel isolated or strained. We no longer have our routines, the things that can often give us the most comfort. It’s okay to grieve what has been lost. It’s okay to not be okay. To encourage sharing and support, I’ve started a weekly video check-in with my team, which has been a time for us to share stories, see each other’s faces, and sometimes even share a few laughs. I’ve shared with my team when I’ve struggled or felt a loss.  Providing opportunities where people feel they can be themselves and connect on a personal level is something that I’m continuing to prioritize.

Now is the time, not to back away, but to increase the emphasis and momentum on inclusion. During moments like these, we can collectively come together and extend empathy, kindness, and openness to one another.