The 10 Most Common Objections to DEI and How to Respond

An effective diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy should include everyone, even those who might be critical of an organization’s DEI efforts. DEI advocates will be more likely to gain support for their initiatives if they can communicate how their efforts align with the company’s business goals, how they will help all employees, and how each individual will benefit.

Leaders should invite everyone to work together to create a welcoming workplace. Efforts should be made to engage DEI skeptics and critics, even though these conversations can be challenging. DEI resistance is common and complicated, so it’s better to prepare for these tough conversations instead of being caught off-guard. By engaging skeptics instead of dismissing their concerns, you will ensure that everyone has a role to play in creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. 

These 10 common questions are just a few of those we’ve heard in our interactions with more than a hundred organizations from a variety of industries.