Effective diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) training is the key to a successful and sustainable DEIB strategy. DEIB training  helps employees understand why diversity and inclusivity are important. Just as importantly, it equips employees and the entire organization with the skills to build a culture of inclusivity and respect. 

In this article, we’ll look at DEIB training — what it is, why it’s important and best practices for implementing it successfully.  

What is DEIB training  

DEIB training consists of educational programs and initiatives that increase awareness and understanding of diverse cultures, backgrounds and perspectives within an organization. The DEIB training aims to create a culture in which everyone feels valued, respected and has equal access to opportunities and resources.  

Diversity training isn’t new. It first appeared in the 1960s in response to equal employment and affirmative action laws. As of 2021, more than 80% of U.S. employers had implemented some form of DEI strategy.  

DEI has since begun evolving into DEIB, placing greater emphasis not only on diversity, equity and inclusion, but also on fostering a sense of belonging. As we move forward, the expansion of DEIB training reflects a growing commitment to cultivating workplaces where every voice is heard and valued. 

Importance of DEIB training  

In today’s increasingly diverse workplace and society, DEIB training has become an imperative for organizations aiming to create equitable environments, leverage the benefits of diverse perspectives, and build cultures of inclusion and mutual understanding. 

Fosters an inclusive workplace environment  

DEIB training helps employees see the value in diverse backgrounds and experiences. It provides strategies for more effective communication and offers guidance on creating more inclusive practices and behaviors. Further, DEIB training empowers leaders to manage diverse teams effectively, optimizing performance and fostering inclusive leadership. As leaders deepen their understanding of diversity and inclusion, they naturally evolve into more effective leaders, enriching the organizational culture and driving better results across the board. 

Improves employee engagement and productivity 

By prioritizing the cultivation of an environment where employees feel respected and valued, DEIB training empowers and motivates individuals to contribute more meaningfully to the organization’s objectives. Collaboration within diverse teams fosters creativity and innovation, enhancing the group’s ability to solve problems effectively. Moreover, an inclusive environment. diminishes workplace stress and elevates job satisfaction, contributing to a healthier, more productive workplace. 

Enhances company reputation and brand  

DEIB training enhances an organization’s reputation and brand by demonstrating a strong commitment to social responsibility and ethical practices. Diverse perspectives and experiences help make organizations more appealing to customers and potential employees alike. Organizations that prioritize DEIB are likely to attract a wider talent pool. As a result, they benefit from the varied skills and insights that a diverse workforce brings. 

Legal compliance and risk mitigation  

Workplace laws and regulations include anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, pay transparency and other mandates designed to ensure fair treatment for employees. DEIB training educates employees about these regulations and equips organizations with a robust framework for responding effectively to complaints. This creates a safer workplace for everyone, simultaneously reducing the risk of costly legal repercussions. 

Types of DEIB training

There are many types of DEIB training. Each addresses a different aspect of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with creating a diverse workforce. 

We’ve found that foundational and leadership training is a “must-have” that forms the basis of a successful DEIB program. Employee feedback and organizational goals and needs can guide the choice of other training.  

Foundational training 

DEIB programs often flounder without widespread support within the organization. Foundational training introduces staff to DEIB concepts and ensures everyone comes from a common understanding.  

Foundational training also addresses the organization’s “why” by creating a shared vision of DEIB outcomes. This shared vision is crucial to a DEIB program’s success. Without it, organizations struggle to maintain momentum and achieve lasting success.  

Inclusive leadership training 

Inclusive leadership training helps leaders and managers understand the importance of inclusive policies, practices and processes. It also gives them the tools to nurture an inclusive environment and bring out the best in diverse teams. Training in this area includes effective communication, empathy and strategies for addressing and preventing discrimination. Examples of training programs might involve case studies, leadership coaching and workshops on inclusive decision-making practices. 

Sensitivity training 

Getting employees from different backgrounds — or even the same background — to understand each other isn’t always easy. Sensitivity training helps employees increase their empathy for one another by building mutual trust and better communication. It also helps make them aware of their own biases. Methods often include role-playing, discussions and interactive activities encouraging participants to step into others’ shoes. 

Implicit bias training 

Implicit bias training addresses the unconscious beliefs and stereotypes that can influence decision-making and interactions in the workplace. Strategies may include mindfulness exercises, bias interruption techniques and education on the impact of biases. 

Equity training 

This type of training educates staff in the importance of creating equal opportunities for all employees. It also gives them strategies for achieving this goal, such as equitable hiring practices, promotion criteria and access to professional development opportunities. 

Cultural competency training 

By improving cultural awareness, communication and collaboration, this training helps prevent misunderstandings and conflicts while promoting a more inclusive work environment. Training methods might include cultural immersion experiences, language learning opportunities and workshops on cross-cultural communication. 

Intersectionality training 

Overlapping identities, such as gender, religion and ethnicity, affect people’s experience of the world. Intersectionality training teaches employees how to understand these overlapping identities. It emphasizes the need for customized strategies that acknowledge the unique challenges those with intersecting identities face. 

Conflict resolution 

Conflict resolution training gives employees the skills and techniques to constructively manage and resolve disputes. It covers understanding different perspectives, communicating effectively and finding mutually beneficial solutions to conflicts. 

Five best practices to maximize the impact of your DEIB training

To help ensure your organization’s DEIB training initiatives drive meaningful change, it’s essential to approach them thoughtfully and strategically. Here are five best practices to consider: 

1. Tailor training programs to organizational needs  

It can’t be stressed enough: Every organization is different. That’s why off-the-shelf DEIB training rarely works over the long term. On the other hand, custom-designed programs are more likely to show long-term return on investment.  

2. Incorporate interactive learning methods  

Interactive learning requires active participation on the part of students. This “hands-on” approach encourages employees to engage more deeply with DEIB lessons and retain more information. Methods include case studies, role-playing, peer teaching and group discussions.  

3. Ensure leadership buy-in and participation 

As mentioned above, leadership support is crucial to a successful DEIB program. Leaders can provide the necessary material resources, of course. They can also communicate the value of DEIB, lead by example, and create clear links between DEIB goals and business outcomes.  

4. Provide ongoing support and resources 

DEIB is not a one-and-done program. Without ongoing support, initial gains in diversity and inclusion may stagnate or regress. This can lead to disillusionment among employees. However, organizations can create a DEIB strategy that evolves with the organizational culture and employee demographics by providing ongoing support and resources. 

5. Measure and evaluate training effectiveness 

Measuring and evaluating results helps organizations understand whether training programs are working as intended. Quantitative evaluations, such as survey scores on employee satisfaction or the diversity of the workforce over time, provide concrete data that can highlight trends, measure progress against specific goals and identify areas needing improvement. Qualitative evaluations offer insights into how employees feel about their workplace culture and sense of belonging through more subjective methods, such as interviews or open-ended survey questions. 

Partner with BPM for DEIB training assistance

DEIB training is an essential component of a well-implemented DEIB strategy. As noted above, however, off-the-shelf solutions rarely work over the long term. For DEIB strategies to be effective, an organization must tailor them to its unique profile. 

BPM’s DEIB Consulting Services focus on creating bespoke DEIB programs that align with our clients’ goals and values. We are HR professionals with a long history of providing HR services for organizations of all sizes and types. We deeply understand organizational policies, state and federal employment laws, and diverse employee populations. This enables us to help you create the perfect DEIB strategy for your needs. 

Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a more resilient, inclusive culture.