After DEI backlash, embracing new ideas for fairness in the workplace

Much has been made of the recent backlash to diversity, equity and inclusion across parts of corporate America. Consider Astrid Linder, the research director of traffic safety at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, who aims to “make everyone in cars as well protected as possible.” Even though regulations only require crash tests using human dummies based on the average male body, Linder chose to make her own work more fair, and together with her team developed the world’s first female crash test dummies. Just like you do not need to be a public relations or communications professional to write emails, speak up in meetings or create slide decks, you do not need to or want to be a “DEI expert” to make the everyday work you are already doing better, smarter and more fair. The promise of the paradigm shift we are proposing is a world where the right people get to do the right jobs in the right way and at the right time — and where our economy gets to benefit from 100% of the talent pool, customers have access to the products and services they need and companies thrive by tapping new markets. Realizing this vision requires us not to abandon the fundamental ideal of fairness even though many recent corporate DEI efforts have failed.