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Embracing equity as part of DE&I strategy and the role of sponsorship
Embracing equity as part of DE&I strategy and the role of sponsorship

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Equity at its core is about embracing differences, creating opportunities for everyone and enabling a level playing field. Each of us has a different starting point, and we want to provide a support system tailored to individual needs. Support can be upskilling, sponsorship, mentorship, or learning, depending on what we need to help us thrive.

Organizations that strive to be inclusive need to foster inclusive leadership behaviors. One of the primary examples I can think of is making success possible for all by sponsoring individuals equitably across differences. Equitable sponsorship is one of the highest impact levers to achieve DE&I progress.

Organizations at large have the power to make a shift in our community if investments are made at the grassroots level to ensure equity in our society, which can have a ripple effect across the board.

Equity at the workplace

Equity in the workplace goes beyond having a mix of gender, generation and people from different cultural backgrounds. It is about embracing all differences and creating a work environment where everyone is and feels seen, heard and valued. This in turn creates a sense of psychological safety and trust, promoting belonging.

Inclusive policies and removing unintended barriers to inclusion, especially by launching interventions also help foster a culture where everyone has access to equitable opportunities.

The role of sponsorship in equity

While mentorship has an important role to play in one's career development, sponsorship can help advance it further with meaningful work experiences, leadership awareness and high-visibility assignments that help in the overall development.

I believe deliberate sponsorship across differences is critical to provide equitable opportunities for those who are typically under-sponsored and are less likely to seek out sponsors. It can help the career of those being sponsored, but it will also give the sponsors a wider perspective that might be different from their own, allowing them to grow as well.

An equitable sponsorship can energize and boost a team's confidence, impact engagement, quality and greater value for clients. It is a win-win situation for individuals, teams and organizations.

As leaders, we need to advocate sponsorship and lead by example.

It’s a personal journey!

When it comes to equity, we need to acknowledge and understand that privilege has a part to play in it. As I look back on my own journey, I acknowledge that I have had a privileged upbringing. I never had to worry about access to the best education, health care, or a wholesome meal on the table. However, this is not the case for everyone. I have interacted with individuals throughout my career who had very different stories to tell. Yes, this has helped me better understand the role that privilege plays, but does that mean I have been immune to biases? Definitely not! Societal inequity exists, and I have experienced them firsthand, which is why equity is important for me, and that’s why we need a strong support system in our lives, both professional and personal.

Equity needs to be embedded in an organization’s culture. As leaders, we need to lead with empathy and role model consistency. With the right mix of technology and strategy, I believe it is possible to promote equity in any organization.

 

Jaya Virwani heads the Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness (DE&I) strategy and the Ethics office for EY Global Delivery Services (Argentina, China, India, Poland, the Philippines, Hungary, Sri Lanka, and Spain).

Disclaimer: The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.


 


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