DEI isn’t about quotas or labels—it’s about creating environments where everyone can thrive. Here’s where we went wrong and how we can fix it.
Alright, I’ll say it—we got DEI wrong. Not because we weren’t trying, not because the intent wasn’t good, but because we focused on the wrong things.
For years, many of us have treated DEI as a numbers game. We’ve measured success in labels, quotas, and celebration days, thinking that if we could just hit the right targets, we’d create inclusion. And look, I get it. The goal was always clear—more diversity in our organizations. But here’s the thing—diversity isn’t the goal, it’s the result.
And when we focus too much on numbers, we create problems. We categorize people into singular identities, forgetting that every person is complex and intersectional. We rely on quotas, unintentionally creating resentment or tokenism instead of genuine inclusion. And we throw cupcakes and celebrations at the problem, mistaking them for solutions.
But diversity doesn’t mean inclusion. Inclusion is how we create environments where everyone—not just some—can fulfill their potential and thrive. It’s about making sure that people can access the opportunities they deserve, that their voices are heard, that they’re supported in ways that meet their real needs. It’s about making sure that when diversity gets in the room, it stays in the room, thrives in the room, and makes that room better for everyone.
When we get inclusion right, diversity follows naturally. People choose to work for us not because of quotas, but because they know they’ll belong. They stay because they know their contributions matter. And when people thrive, organizations thrive.
That’s why I’ve launched The Strategic Inclusion Practitioner Program & Certification. Because inclusion can’t be left to chance. It has to be intentional, strategic, and designed to work.
This program gives anyone committed to building a truly inclusive world the tools, frameworks, and capability to get inclusion right. We’ve made mistakes in the past, but we can do better. Let’s stop treating DEI like a numbers game and start building workplaces, schools, and communities where everyone can succeed.
If you’re ready to be part of this shift, check out the program today. Because when inclusion is done well, nobody gets left behind.
www.includeinstitute.com
Dr. Liz Wilson is a globally recognized and awarded expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion and the author of The Strategic Inclusion Playbook: Your Comprehensive Guide to Creating an Inclusive Organization. She has been a trusted advisor to organizations worldwide, offering evidence-based strategies to address inclusion challenges while navigating complex regulatory environments.
Dr. Wilson is also the founder of Include Inc., a consultancy specializing in innovative approaches to achieving inclusive outcomes. Her academic research and published 8-Inclusion Needs of All People framework has been adopted across the world, navigating legal, cultural, and social norms to address the intersectional needs of all people in efforts to eliminate discrimination. Wilson, L. A. (2023).
Dr. Liz also shares her research and strategic inclusion capability through the Include Institute.
The 8-Inclusion Needs of All People: A Proposed Framework to Address Intersectionality in Efforts to Prevent Discrimination; International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 6(2), 296-314.
