Members Who Make it Work!

One of the Founders of Diversity in Practice gave me some very wise advice.  He pointed out to me that Diversity Champions come in all shapes and sizes and often from people you least expect!  Over my eight years as Executive Director I have found this to be the best advice or observation I have ever had. So it made me think about the characteristics of a Diversity Champion and how surprising it is that these are not “published” somewhere.  

NOW I want to emphasize the fact that many of my best advocates for Diversity and Inclusion have been white men who actually get it and are in a position of power to act on it!

The ideal Diversity Champion has some or all of the following characteristics:

1) The ability and willingness to promote and develop diverse talent both within his or her organization as well as externally as an ambassador of Diversity in the profession.

2) A person at a senior level within an organization who has respect within that organization and within the legal community at large who can carry the message of the value of Diversity within and hold people accountable for acting upon the message.

3) A willingness and an ability to listen to, learn from and contribute to the discussion and development of actions and learning around organizational diversity and inclusion.

4) An ability to become a diversity and inclusion Thought Champion.

5) A willingness to and a proven track record of participation both internally and externally in Diversity and Inclusion efforts in order to model participatory behavior.

I have been blessed in my career to have met these people and to have been able to learn from them.  Are you a Diversity Champion within in your organization?  Can you step outside your comfort zone to become one?  I promise it will be one of the most rewarding experiences you have!