DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. When you add in the “B” it starts to consider the impact of a sense of belonging which is the goal of the first 3 concepts[1]. Let’s take a look at the definitions of each of these components and what they mean in the veterinary context.
- Diversity:
- Is respect and appreciation of the physical, cultural & psychological differences – and similarities – that make each person unique. This means embracing and celebrating fellow veterinary professionals that look, talk, or think differently and recognizing that embracing these attributes only strengthens us as a group or organization.
- Equity:
- Is removing barriers, presenting attainable opportunities for all, and treating everyone fairly. Equity does NOT mean treating everyone the same. Leaders should be encouraged to recognize different backgrounds and perspectives, and meeting an individual where they are for optimal success.
- Inclusion:
- All people deserve to feel like they belong. Did you know that companies with an inclusive culture are 8x more likely to have better business outcomes?
- Belonging
- Creating a place where individuals feel safe, accepted & empowered to express their opinions, and be heard without fear of judgment, backlash, or consequence. Sounds a bit like psychological safety, doesn’t it? A study has shown that employees are 3.5x more likely to live up to their full potential when they feel like they belong at work.[2]
DEIB helps us to recognize how our systems and processes are predisposed to certain privileges and biases. Once we recognize that, we can begin to improve those processes and breakdown those systematic barriers. But DEIB is only one piece of the overall well-being puzzle. Next were going to take a look at emotional intelligence.
