IN 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, interest in creating more inclusive workplaces surged as corporations focused on addressing racism and power imbalances. As diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs have increased over the past four years, some companies are now rethinking DEI to include belonging. Spirituality should be included in this effort.
In a recent study conducted by Business for America (BFA), a non-partisan, non-profit organization, more than two dozen executives from 18 companies were interviewed, revealing how companies are struggling to ‘build bridges’ in an increasingly polarized culture. According to BFA founder Sarah Bonk, despite noble intentions, DEI initiatives have unintentionally deepened divisions within some organizations and led to the emergence of resentment among employees.
Because of these unintended consequences, some companies are now trying to shift away from addressing the among their employees to focus more on the attributes they have in common. Some have adopted new language, ushering in ‘the Age of Diversity and Belonging.’ But more than nuance and new language is
