Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Approach to change
For many, addressing the complexities of equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) can bring to the surface feelings of uncertainty, fear, trauma, exhaustion, change fatigue, guilt and overwhelm.
At Golden Key we have noticed that when faced with one or a combination of these pressures, people tend to oversimplify equalities challenges to achieve quick wins, abandon existing or new practices that would otherwise lead to positive change, and even avoid engaging with ED&I altogether. When we react to these pressures in these ways, disconnected and ineffective practices are implemented.
Instead, it is helpful to think about how we can deal with these pressures, so we are better able to consider and address the bigger or underlying causes of equalities challenges. It’s important for us all to think about this individually so we are increasing our awareness.
Reflecting on Golden Key’s work, we have identified a set of principles which seem to help people to engage with the complexities of ED&I and to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. These principles are:
Prioritizing self-awareness
Approaching equalities activity through trusting relationships
Cultivating a shared understanding of what ED&I success looks like
These principles make up the corner stones of the Golden Key ED&I Approach to Change.
Click on the image below to learn more about each area…
The ED&I Approach to Change is a visual tool designed with our partners to help us conceptualise and hold the ED&I pressures we experience. If these principles aren’t present, it is important to take time as an organization, team, and individually to reflect why and understand together how they can be adapted and adopted to your specific context.
We hope that this tool will help to make improved ED&I outcomes seem more achievable, less daunting and something that you feel you can help attain.