Firms need to identify their DEI 'North Star' to drive progress: Kearney
Kearney said its North Star will guide decision-making.
Whilst many have well-intended diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, some organisations struggle to transform those goals into tangible improvements, according to a Kearney report.
For an organisation to achieve DEI objectives, first, Kearney said it must identify its North Star.
“This North Star for your DEI initiatives guides decision-making, allowing the organisation to prioritise outcomes, make trade-offs on resources, and determine pace and timing with a common view on the overall objectives,” Kearney said.
The consulting firm added that an effective North Star statement articulates a positive vision, energising the organisation to implement the change. Leaders should find ways to link their North Star vision to the company’s overarching business strategy.
The next step is to determine the activities that will move the organisation in the direction of the North Star.
“Leaders will then need to evaluate whether the current activities are effective and decide whether to create new initiatives, lean into existing ones, or a combination of those,” Kearney said.
Moreover, organisations need to prioritise milestone goals that will help achieve their North Star and define markers along the journey at points to check in and assess directional progress.
Kearney noted that these checkpoints are the most important metric set on the journey as they trigger the accountable parties to take corrective action based on the defined thresholds.
