Currently, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I) have taken center stage in business discussions, but are these concepts truly new?
In 1995, in the article The Business Case for Diversity, Roosevelt Thomas Jr. became one of the pioneers in studies emphasizing that diversity should not be seen merely as a moral or legal issue but also as a competitive advantage for companies. Roosevelt argued that a diverse workforce would not only enhance decision-making but also drive organizational creativity.
Nowadays, although there is growing awareness of the importance of DEI for the success and growth of organizations, many companies are still taking small steps in implementing effective practices that foster a truly inclusive environment.
Portugal is experiencing a scenario in which the loss of talent to foreign markets is becoming increasingly alarming, and organizations urgently need to rethink their strategies to attract and retain qualified professionals. This is where DEI can play a crucial role in transforming the business landscape.
Inclusive hiring is just the first step, but on its own, it does not guarantee that everyone feels equally valued. Inclusion goes beyond providing access—it means ensuring that everyone has a voice and a meaningful role in the corporate ecosystem.
It is essential to adopt a multifaceted approach. The first step is to invest in specialized training programs that empower leadership and teams to create empathetic environments. To achieve this, companies can leverage interactive AI-based platforms that can be customized to their needs or take advantage of existing solutions, such as Olabi’s DEI Journey or APPDI’s e-learning course Divers@s e Ativ@s. These transformative tools are designed to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace while also mitigating discrimination.
If changing mindsets in favor of inclusion is a responsibility of society as a whole, companies play a crucial role in driving this evolution. It is their duty not only to adopt inclusive practices but also to develop strategic initiatives that ensure diversity is truly prioritized and that inclusion is deeply rooted in the corporate culture.
After all, building a more diverse and inclusive corporate culture is not just a challenge—it is an opportunity to transform the future.
“Imagination is the beginning of creation. We imagine what we desire, we desire what we imagine, and finally, we create what we desire.”
— George Bernard Shaw
Article written by Ana Andrade, Head of People Talent and Culture at WYgroup, in LIDER magazine.
