Your Future Workforce: How to Leverage Inclusion and Diversity for Talent Attraction and Retention

Summary

This video focuses on Rockwell's efforts to develop a strong, inclusive culture through the challenges of the pandemic and the shift to remote work. Speakers discuss how they built and communicated a culture that emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, while fostering strong team dynamics, innovation, and agility. They emphasize the importance of being intentional and measuring the impact of these efforts, particularly in employee retention and engagement. The key takeaway is that engaged, diverse employees lead to greater productivity, and deliberate actions are necessary for long-term success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential pillars for attracting diverse talent and creating an inclusive workplace culture.
• 😀 Strategic partnerships with diverse organizations, such as the National Society of Black MBAs, can help attract talent from underrepresented groups.
• 😀 Clear, customized messaging targeting specific talent groups is vital for successfully reaching diverse candidates.
• 😀 The company's culture development process should prioritize innovation, agility, and commitment to diversity for overall success.
• 😀 Effective leadership development programs are key to ensuring equal opportunities for diverse talent and fostering career growth.
• 😀 Offering mentorship and succession planning is critical for the professional development of diverse employees.
• 😀 Retention should be seen as an outcome of effective engagement rather than a direct action or goal.
• 😀 Engaged employees are more likely to be productive, stay longer, and contribute discretionary effort to the organization.
• 😀 Avoid creating a 'quit and stay' environment, where disengaged employees remain in the company, hindering overall productivity and morale.
• 😀 Being intentional in diversity initiatives ensures measurable outcomes and improves long-term retention across the organization.
• 😀 An inclusive culture that supports diverse talent not only fosters engagement but also drives innovation and business growth.

Q & A

What are some of the key skills companies look for in future talent?

Companies are increasingly looking for talent with agility, flexibility, and critical skills that allow them to adapt quickly, learn continuously, and pivot between roles as needed.

Why is diversity important in today's workplace?

Diversity is crucial as it leads to innovation, improved problem-solving, and better business outcomes. Bringing together individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences enables organizations to approach challenges in unique ways and foster creativity.

What is the difference between diversity and inclusion?

Diversity refers to the presence of individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Inclusion, on the other hand, means ensuring that these diverse individuals are valued, respected, and able to contribute meaningfully to the organization.

How does diversity drive business growth?

Diversity drives innovation, which is a key factor in business growth. Diverse teams bring a wide range of ideas and problem-solving approaches, which helps organizations stay competitive and meet the needs of a diverse customer base.

What is the business case for focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)?

Focusing on DEI leads to increased innovation, higher productivity, better retention rates, and improved financial performance. Companies with diverse teams perform better due to the unique perspectives that drive effective solutions and customer engagement.

How can companies attract diverse talent?

Companies can attract diverse talent by partnering with organizations that represent underrepresented groups and by tailoring their recruitment campaigns to speak directly to these communities' values and needs.

What is the role of leadership development in fostering diversity?

Leadership development plays a crucial role in fostering diversity by providing inclusive training, mentorship, and succession planning. Programs that focus on diverse leadership ensure that future leaders are prepared to lead diverse teams effectively.

What strategies can organizations implement to retain diverse talent?

Organizations can retain diverse talent by fostering a culture of open communication, setting clear expectations, and ensuring that employees feel valued and included. Employee engagement programs that focus on diversity also play a key role in improving retention.

Why is it important for companies to be intentional about their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts?

Being intentional ensures that diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are not just conceptual but are actively implemented with measurable outcomes. This leads to real change in talent development and organizational culture.

How does engagement impact retention in diverse talent?

Engaged employees are more likely to stay with the organization and be productive. When employees feel valued, supported, and included, they are more motivated to remain committed to the organization, leading to improved retention.