Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). We’ve all heard the term by now and know that corporations across the globe are working to be more inclusive. But what does that mean for each of us as leaders within our immediate teams? 

I’ve always believed that being a people manager is more than just approving time off and having a monthly check-in with staff. Just ask my team, they will confirm that I tell them time after time that I am here to be an advocate, mentor, cheerleader and champion for each of them – the only thing I’m not is a babysitter. With a new year beginning, and two new rotational employees joining my team, I felt an urge to spruce up my Leadership Philosophy but struggled with how and what I wanted it to look like. I am not changing who I am as a manager; I don’t want to set a new vibe for the team, but something in me told me that my old philosophy (it’s not really that old, just barely 2 years old) needed a fresh look. 

My manager recently shared the video “Inclusion Starts with I” from Accenture with our team.

I’ve seen this video before, and every time it speaks to me. When I watched it earlier this month, something inside me knew exactly what my Leadership Philosophy 2.0 needed to look like. I didn’t start from scratch; heck, half of it is word for word from my old version. It sounds cliché, but almost every slide in this video spoke to me, but primarily 

“it’s about the type of world we want to live in and the choices we make every day.”

I want to live in a world where we don’t have to talk about diversity, inclusion and equity. Not because they aren’t the “hot topic” anymore, but because it’s so engrained in all of us that we don’t have to try to overcome these obstacles anymore.

My new leadership philosophy is what I hope others see in me already: ALLY

ADVOCATE

Be an advocate, champion and cheerleader for the team. Be an ally: speak up for everyone, speak up and against injustices. Treat everyone by the golden rule; treat others the way theywant to be treated. Listen to everyone’s thoughts and give all ideas an equal chance. Everyone deserves respect.

LAUGH

Have fun. Don’t be too serious; it’s OK to have fun at work. Remember to laugh and keep smiling. Mental health is important. Burn out is real – let’s do what we can to prevent that.

LIVE

Live a life you love. Live a life you’re proud of. Live the life you post on social media. Work-life balance is important – work to live, don’t live to work.

YOU

Be YOU, be an individual. Allow everyone to stand out as their own selves. Celebrate the uniqueness inside everyone. Don’t compromise your morals. Be honest; to yourself and others, in what you do and in identifying your motives. 

(For those wondering, version 1.0 was: Maintain Balance, Authenticity, Respect & Integrity.)

Check out the original post I published on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pulse/leading-ally-lauren-mary-gotimer-cpim/