The Truth About DEI: How Encouragement, Inspiration, and Inclusion Lead the Way!

What does the acronym DEI stand for? "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion" are the foundation. Many do not understand this term and may fear being knowledgeable about the truth.

I will concentrate on DEI and EII (Encouraging, Inspiring and Including Others) topics in this article and continue with more in subsequent articles, as there is an enormous amount of information constructed from these and a few other words that require clarity.

We must understand the words to follow the positive and productive movement in the right direction.

It will take several paragraphs, but let us start by picking a high-quality dictionary to help us understand each word. Please use a dictionary of your choice, but the basic definition of each word from Merriam-Webster is as follows:

Diversity: 

1. the condition of having or being composed of differing elements: variety especially the inclusion of people of different races (see race entry 1 sense 1a), cultures, etc. in a group or organization | programs intended to promote diversity in schools
2. an instance of being composed of differing elements or qualities: an instance of being diverse a diversity of opinion

Equity:

1. 1 a: fairness or justice in the way people are treated often, specifically: freedom from disparities in the way people of different races, genders, etc. are treated
   b: something that is equitable
   social equities and inequities
2. a: the money value of a property or of an interest in a property in excess of claims or liens against it
   b: the common stock of a corporation
   c: a risk interest or ownership right in property
   d: a right, claim, or interest existing or valid in equity
3. a system of law originating in the English chancery and comprising a settled and formal body of legal and procedural rules and doctrines that supplement, aid, or override common and statute law and are designed to protect rights and enforce duties fixed by substantive law
   b: trial or remedial justice under or by the rules and doctrines of equity
   c: a body of legal doctrines and rules developed to enlarge, supplement, or override a narrow rigid system of law

Inclusion:

1. the act of including: the state of being included
2. something that is included: such as
   a: a gaseous, liquid, or solid foreign body enclosed in a mass (as of a mineral)
   b: a passive usually temporary product of cell activity (such as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus
3. the act or practice of including students with disabilities with the general student population
   —sometimes used before a noun
   an inclusion classroom/school
4. the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)
5. mathematics: a relation between two classes (see class sense 3c) that exists when all members of the first class are also members of the second
   compare membership sense 3

Do we feel better about DEI now? We have Merriam-Webster's definitions, but is there still a gap in understanding? Yes, too many words were created through a social construct and do not have a full definition.

What if we started the next step in the discussion with EII? Encouraging, Inspiring and Including others. I will not use article space for these, as Encouraging, Inspiring and Including have more direct and shorter meanings. If you would like, please view the definitions from Merriam-Webster by selecting or double-clicking each one. These definitions are shorter and more to the point.

As we give hope or promise, fill with life and elevate by praise, and take in the others that remain, we can quickly understand the benefit of Unity.

DEI can be accomplished through EII. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion can be understood through Encouraging (filling others with life), Inspiring (elevated because of their abilities) and Including others (included as part of us)

No, it is not a foreign language. It is only our ability to open our hearts to others as we want others to open their hearts to us without prejudice!

To close with a short story, Mary, a bright young woman, joined a tech company that talked a big game about DEI. But the reality was different. 

The company touted diversity, but leadership was homogenous. Mary's ideas were often dismissed, while similar suggestions from male colleagues were praised. The company's "Diversity Training" focused on legal compliance, not genuine inclusion or equity. Too many employees saw it as HR fluff or quotas.

Disillusioned, Mary realized the change had to start with her. She embraced EII—Encouraging, Inspiring, and Including others. She actively listened to colleagues, mentored junior team members, and started an inclusion-focused employee resource group. 

Slowly, her grassroots efforts began to create a more inclusive environment, demonstrating that real change often starts with individual actions grounded in EII.

In our following newsletter, we will discuss the term “race.” Is it just a social construct? No one can go to the doctor and ask for a test to determine their race. Aren’t we all the same, even if we are a lighter or darker tan?

If you have questions, feedback, or feed-forward, please get in touch with me today by selecting here! Let’s take action together—Encourage someone to share their voice, Inspire a new perspective, and Include others in the conversation. Together, we can build a more united and empowered future!