| 5 Ways to Use Employee Resource Groups to Foster a Culture of Diversity and Respect | |
This morning I was looking through photos on my phone and I stopped on a photo from my son’s recent birthday party. Amazingly, I was able to get a group of teenage boys to stop and pose for me. I smiled as I took in the diversity of this group. There are two African Americans (the one with the “I-can’t-believe-you’re-making-me-do-this” smile is my son), one Latino, two caucasians, and one half Russian/half Korean in this eclectic bunch of young men.
My son’s friends have always been racially and ethnically diverse: his first real friend was a Turkish boy from around the corner, he’s shot hoops with an Iranian two doors down, and I’ve given his Asian and Indian friends rides home from school. His classrooms and sports teams look like the photo on my phone, like our neighborhood.
If you are a Millennial, like my son and his friends, you grew up in a diverse tapestry. As part of this beautifully diverse generation, you want your workplace to resemble your personal social circles and look and feel like your schools and neighborhoods. You want your workplace to reflect the diversity and inclusion of all people.
As an employee you can play a key role in ushering in workplace cultures of diversity and inclusion. One way you can foster a culture of diversity in your workplace is to join or create an Employee Resource Group (ERG) in your organization.
Employee Resource Groups are voluntary, employee-led groups that serve as a resource for members and organizations. ERGs can be created for any minority group, such as:
If your organization has an ERG that is relevant to you, consider joining so that you can take on a leadership role to foster diversity in your workplace. If an ERG that is important to you does not exist, consider creating one! To create an ERG, check with your Human Resources Department to find out your corporate policy toward employee-led groups and to see what support is available for ERGs.
Here are 5 ways to use employee resource groups to foster a culture of diversity and respect in your workplace.
1. Hold an Employee Resource Group Annual Luncheon
A few months ago I had the honor of speaking to 600 ladies at an annual Employee Resource Group luncheon. The ERG was the company’s Women’s Initiative Network (WIN), one of many WIN groups in great companies throughout the United States. The luncheon was planned, funded and hosted by the members of the employee-led WIN group. This conference hosted educational speakers, inspired women, provided networking opportunities and honored women in the company for their outstanding achievements. Annual luncheons or meetings can be effectively held for any ERG and they are great educational and networking opportunities for members.
2. Conduct a Book Review That Inspires Diversity Discussions
Have members of the ERG read and review a book together. Consider books that inspire and educate members of the employee resource group. One of my friends is a member of a Latino ERG and a couple of years ago the group collectively read and discussed The Power of Latino Leadership: Culture, Inclusion, and Contribution by Juana Bordas. Find a book that is relevant to your members and meet to discuss your new insights. This is a great way to inspire discussions about diversity, leadership and forward thinking.
3. Volunteer in Your Community to Support Future Leaders
Last year an African American ERG in a Dallas company volunteered at a local annual golf tournament and raised $60,000 in scholarships for the United Negro College Fund. The ERG members involved served the community, gained the reward of investing in future business leaders, and learned valuable fund-raising skills. Consider having your ERG support meaningful causes and develop future leaders.
4. Organize a Group Viewing and Discussion of a Movie with Cultural Relevance
Similar to a book review, a group movie viewing can inspire and educate members. An African American ERG organized a group viewing and discussion of the movie “Selma.” Is there a movie that is relevant to your ERG that can inspire leadership, challenge the status quo or spark meaningful conversation? If so, why not organize a movie viewing and start a discussion?
5. Inspire Diversity Through Music
Music is one of the most creative ways to inspire diversity, and when employees outside of the ERGs are encouraged to attend the events, the impact is magnified. A Latino ERG sponsored a weekly series of Salsa lessons to encourage employees to network while learning salsa. An African American ERG hosted a field trip to a musical instrument museum where they were introduced to different drumming styles and traditions from several cultural groups in Ghana, Mali, and Guinea. Think out of the box and consider music (or any of the arts) as a way to spark a culture of diversity.
Your workplace should resemble the racially and ethnically diverse culture you live in and love. Employee Resource Groups are a great way to further a culture of diversity in the workplace while at the same time providing networking, educational and leadership opportunities to members. Join or start an employee resource group that is important to you and you will help to create a positive impact a culture of diversity and inclusion in your organization.
Myra Golden is a keynote speaker who travels North America looking for great stories to share, and new ways to help her clients deliver the best possible customer experience.
Myra Golden is not an attorney and the content of this article is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality, and is not to be used as legal advice.
Sources cited:
“Millennials in Adulthood.” Pew Research Centers Social Demographic Trends Project RSS. N.p., 07 Mar. 2014. Web. 28 July 2016.