Huddle when you are Befuddled!

Diversity and Inclusion professionals and change agents need to think strategically and creatively during this time of social distancing, shuttered business operations, and growing fear about the coronavirus.

Are you “befuddled” during this time of social distancing and work from home requirements?

“When you’re befuddled, you’re bewildered, confused, lost, or mixed-up. In other words, you don’t know what’s going on. A befuddled person is so confused that they just can’t understand or figure something out.”

What are the common fears of the DEI practitioner?

· Diversity falls in the priority list of leadership.

· Initiatives that were underway get postponed or cancelled.

· Working groups, ERGs and taskforces halt their work and their commitment.

· Many practitioners are anxious, uncertain and perplexed. They are fearful of being laid off and that the value of their work will be negated.

Do you have these fears and anxieties?

Learn to use your network to “huddle!” Use the opportunity to come close together virtually in a group and stay connected.

What are some actions you can do in a huddle?

Share your anxieties with colleagues in the profession.

Brainstorm ideas of things to do while you are physically disconnected from your team and your allies.

Use the time to develop tools, processes and ideas that could be used later in your work

Are you addressing some emerging issues?

Develop responses to growing biases against Asians, People with Disabilities, Women, Immigrants, and the economically adversely impacted. These growing biases may find their way into your workplace.

People may not remember what you do doing this time, but they will remember how you make them feel! Are you continuing to find ways to advance inclusion, or are you retreating to a place of fear and self-loathing?

Learn to huddle up, innovate, and move forward in spite of the disruptive times. Diversity change is about being agile, adaptive and innovative in responding to the impact of changing circumstances and challenges at work and in society.

Be safe, but also be thoughtful during these times.