Christine Riordan, president of Adelphi University describes how leadership can change the conversation around diversity and inclusion.

1. H O W L E A D E R S H I P
C A N C H A N G E T H E
C O N V E R S A T I O N
A R O U N D
D I V E R S I T Y A N D
I N C L U S I O N
CHRISTINE RIORDAN

2. In recent years, the conversation surrounding diversity and
inclusion has magnified exponentially. From political
platforms to the silver screen, more and more people are
asking the question: how can we better represent the
entirety of our population? Beyond tropes and token
characters, real and substantial representation is needed,
those in positions of leadership have the influence to help
make that happen. But how so?

3. L E A D E R S B L O O M B Y
H E L P I N G O T H E R S
B L O O M
It’s as simple as this: if you are
enjoying the authority of a
leadership position, you should
be utilizing your power to grant
those same opportunities to
others. True leaders are focused
on cultivating the full potential
of a vision by supporting the
growth of everyone involved. As
such, these leaders should
always be looking for an
opportunity to amplify voices
which are frequently silenced.
They can achieve this by
employing minorities and
ensuring that they are included
in decision-making processes.

4. D I V E R S I T Y =
R E S I L I E N C E
Genuine diversity and genuine
inclusion isn’t about merely
featuring token minorities as a
part of one’s branding. Genuine
diversity and inclusion allows for
a stronger and more resilient
leadership by offering a variety
of innovative and important
perspectives.

5. I N S P I R E F U T U R E
G E N E R A T I O N S
Placing minorities in positions of
leadership and granting them
platforms from which they can
share a message and make
decisions, more than being an
active game-changer for diversity
and inclusion, is a symbolic
game-changer for future
generations. Younger people
especially should have access to
figures that look like them and
represent a culture that’s theirs.
This kind of representation
inspires and conveys that
anything is possible.

6. L I S T E N T O T H E
P E O P L E
A good leader not only
understands their peers or
coworkers, but their audience or
consumer market too. Take stock
of the opinions and attitudes of
your coworkers and/or market
frequently through direct
communication and surveys.
Encourage thorough, honest
responses. This will not only
cultivate a better and more
personable relationship by
demonstrating your care, but will
help you to address any
leadership issues you may not
have realized were an issue.

7. B R O A D E N I N G Y O U R
W O R L D V I E W
Minorities generally have a
better understanding of
problems in a society because
they navigate many of these
problems and microaggressions
on a daily basis. Including and
learning about these
perspectives will be invaluable to
the way your leadership
operates.