Getting a seat at the table enables us to increase our level of influence, visibility, and impact within the organization. If we want our table to reflect the influence of the many cultures, ethnicities, generations, and various backgrounds and experience levels of the changing workforce, then we need to open up and change the seats available at the table.
- Shirley Davis,
PhD. CSP
Why Does Diversity in Design Matter?
Creating a diverse and inclusive culture is not just ethically sound, it's good for business. A 2010 McKinsey & Company global survey of 279 companies found that organizations with the largest percentage of women executives earned a 47% higher return on equity than those with no women on the top team. Diversity also fosters innovation. Valuing diverse voices and alternative narratives leads to more authentic collaboration, surfacing ideas that challenge our assumptions and make us think about new solutions and opportunities. It makes organizations more resilient. Successful leadership depends on navigating complexity by listening to multiple perspectives. Diversity and inclusion increase engagement. When giving a voice to divergent sets of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, organizations can expect increased productivity and commitment. It’s not surprising that increasingly, executives are talking about the importance of diverse and inclusive leadership.
DMI is committed to help organizations create an inclusive an diverse design culture by building a transparent system in which both leaders and employees are engaged and accountable.
How Will DMI Lead?
DMI will act as a resource for information, a facilitator, and an advocate for Diversity & Inclusion in Design, actively sharing content, tools, research, and expert thought leadership.
One of the four annual dmi:Review magazines will be dedicated to Diversity & Inclusion.
DMI will recognize both organizations and individuals for their efforts to develop more diverse teams and organizational cultures.
The Manifesto is a living document—it will grow and change in our quest for a better workplace and more opportunities for everyone. We invite you to engage with DMI in this initiative to make our businesses and communities better places in which to work and live.
The dmi:Diversity in Design Manifesto works as a simple set of 6 prompts that you can use to create a more diverse and inclusive culture. They can be addressed in any order that serves you and your organization best.
BUILD AND PROMOTE THE BUSINESS CASE FOR DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN DESIGN AND THE WORKPLACE.*
Diversity & Inclusion starts at the top. Work with Diversity & Inclusion experts to foster/bring diversity into your organization.
ENGAGE IN INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP EDUCATION.*
Work with Diversity & Inclusion experts to ensure that you/your team understand Inclusive Leadership and that supportive behaviors are embedded in performance goals. Leaders should understand their role in creating an inclusive culture for everyone.
*DMI strongly recommends that you engage expert help for this initiative.
** This Diversity & Inclusion site is provided to share information from and to our global community only and does not serve as an endorsement of any specific service or consultant.
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Getting a seat at the table enables us to increase our level of influence, visibility, and impact within the organization. If we want our table to reflect the influence of the many cultures, ethnicities, generations, and various backgrounds and experience levels of the changing workforce, then we need to open up and change the seats available at the table.
