The Grow Up Live: Does DEI need reform?
- Asad Dhunna
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
In today's rapidly evolving world, the conversation around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become increasingly critical - and louder.
Whether it's called DEI, EDI, or spelt out as diversity, equity and inclusion, these concepts are shifting and expanding in response to our changing societies.
Our recent webinar we were joined by Lola Bakare and Hamid Vaghefian to discuss: "The Grow Live: Does DEI Need a Bit of Reform?"
We posed pressing questions about the future of DEI.
Here's the full recording:
Below you can find some of the key insights and arguments from this discussion, too:
The Evolving Nature of DEI
DEI has evolved rapidly in recent years, shifting from a niche concern to a frequent feature in business strategies. This transformation has been driven by a series of global catalysts, from the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd to shifting geopolitical dynamics, widespread social movements, and the rise of AI and automation.
But with increased visibility has come increased scrutiny. DEI has faced backlash from political detractors, been undermined by performative efforts, and suffered from jargon-heavy, unclear communication. In some cases, missteps have been costly both for reputation and financially.
So, where does that leave us?
We believe the moment calls for DEI to grow up. Not to retreat or dilute itself, but to evolve, moving beyond surface-level commitments to become a driver of relevance and growth, connecting more deeply with consumers, and enabling talent to thrive
The Gartner Hype Cycle and DEI
To understand where DEI stands today, we mapped it against the Gartner Hype Cycle model. This cycle was originally used to demonstrate the common pattern of adoption for new technologies, but can also be applied to societal trends.
We demonstrate this for DEI with the:
Innovation Trigger: The increased focus on DEI from events in 2020.
Peak of Inflated Expectations: Optimism around DEI leading to changes in workplace policies.
Trough of Disillusionment: Where we found ourselves questioning the effectiveness of DEI strategies.
Slope of Enlightenment: The current push for maturing our approach to DEI.
New Standard of Inclusion: The future state of DEI, with balanced and well-integrated strategies.
DEI in need of reform?
Despite progress, DEI efforts are still under scrutiny, often criticised as tokenistic, performative, focused more on optics than impact. Some argue that DEI prioritises identity over competence, while others point out that public-facing commitments don’t always reflect inclusive realities inside organisations.
To move forward, the conversation must shift beyond acronyms and buzzwords to tangible, meaningful action. While increasing representation remains important, the real challenge lies in building inclusive cultures, environments where all individuals feel valued and able to thrive.
The Global Context
While DEI is often treated as a one-size-fits-all agenda, its implementation and impact differ greatly across regions. From the US to the UK and beyond, each country navigates DEI through its own societal, cultural, and historical lens. These differences highlight how DEI efforts are shaped by national identity and policy.
As we look ahead, it’s important to challenge the idea of a singular global DEI approach or discourse that assumes uniformity. Instead, strategies must be recognised for their local context, then grounded in regional realities and shaped to resonate with the communities they aim to serve.
The Role of Language in DEI
Language shapes how we understand and engage with DEI. In recent years, the term itself has become politically charged, often conflated with concepts like "woke" in media discourse, turning it into a dog whistle for broader frustrations with progressive agendas. Crucial terms like “privilege,” which are meant to explain the rationale for levelling the playing field, frequently face backlash. Anecdotally, we’ve found that reframing these conversations using terms like “advantage” can create more constructive and inclusive dialogue. By meeting people where they are, we have a better chance of moving DEI conversations and actions forward.
Conclusion: A Call for "the Grow Up"
As businesses and individuals, we must engage in introspective and actionable conversations that propel things forward. It’s time for DEI to mature, moving beyond initial implementations to sustainable and meaningful changes.
The journey towards a more inclusive future is not just a necessity but an exciting, albeit challenging, endeavour. The dialogue we began in this webinar is only the start.
Whether through structured DEI programs or organic community interactions, the call to action is clear: DEI needs to grow up.
Transformative change requires commitment, understanding, and, most importantly, action.
Together, we can redefine success with a new inclusive standard.