Learning Need:
A large Indian conglomerate in the hydrocarbon and materials sector aimed at enhancing its commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) by developing allies and champions among its top leaders. The primary goals were to
- increase awareness and sensitivity
- foster a shift towards conscious inclusiveness, and
- build psychologically safe work teams where employees felt welcomed and encouraged to be their best selves despite differences
thereby driving enhanced creativity, performance, and exponential business growth
Discovery & Analysis
An in-depth dipstick study was conducted through various meetings with key stakeholders, DEI sponsors within the organization, and the DEI expert team at The Catalyst.
This study explored the key intent behind the intervention, the organization’s buy-in and readiness, and learnings from past DEI efforts.
The Catalyst’s role was to identify gaps, understand narratives, and harvest stories on micro-inequities, biases, and microaggressions within the organization. This was achieved through focused group discussions with a cross-section of employees representing different functions within the organization, including plant, corporate, and support staff.
The insights gathered became the cornerstone for building a sharp, customized, and highly relatable intervention.
The Key Areas of focus for the session were as below
The Catalyst Team culled out the below success parameters for the organisation to measure impact
Solutioning, Design and Implementation
Looking at the scale, level and sensitivity of the intervention the Catalyst DEI Expert Team had to work with a well evaluated strategy and design methodology to ensure the intervention is sticky & impactful. The Key features of the design involved keeping it simple, making it compelling, reflective, engaging and replicable.
Key Features of the methodology used
The design included elements of
- Pre work in the form of self-assessments prior to the start of the workshop
- Use of several engaging formats during the program
- Work kit – A workbook for reference reading and internalization
- Post Program nudge and reinforcement
Firstly, the design involved a series of intensive discussions with DEI experts across industries to understand the body of work being carried out across the spectrum of DEI at various levels of the organisation. This helped us build case studies which would act as a ready reckoner for the organisation.
The facilitator selected were industry veterans who had years of DEI experience and advocates of DEI with top Indian and MNC’s from the manufacturing space and who were able to share deep insights as well as create safe space for learning and sharing.
Finally the intervention was deemed complete when participants wrote action commitments against success measures pushing them to take accountability and thinking of small but real shifts in the direction of becoming a true Ally and Champion of Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the organisation.
Impact
The Catalyst has run couple of successful batches so far with outstanding feedback and incredible participation. We look forward to moving bit by bit united together to making workplace truly inclusive for a better tomorrow.