Roles of influence: why it’s the next step for diversity and inclusion

Gillian Harford

Country Executive, 30% Club Ireland

For International Women’s Day 2024, inspire inclusion and unlock the value of inclusive leadership. Drive gender balance in roles of influence for an equitable future.

Organisations are realising that diverse talent only adds value when all employees can contribute equally. ‘Diversity means presence, inclusion means voice’ captures this — or diversity is in the headcount, but inclusion is in the culture. Modern diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategies now also prioritise inclusive leadership over traditional unconscious bias training to reflect this focus.

Gender balance in roles of influence

However, as organisations continue to progress towards greater gender balance and inclusion across their full employee base, more general DEI strategies are not enough to drive change at the most senior levels and more highly paid roles.

New initiatives, encouraged by groups like the 30% Club, Women in Finance Charter and Balance for Better Business now focus on targets; not just for diversity and inclusion but across roles of influence — driving greater gender balance at the most senior levels, as well as across all areas of the business — ensuring progress on representation in senior, highly paid, revenue-generating roles, as well as the more traditional or stereotypical roles like HR, legal and similar. Many of these more targeted actions are in response to gender pay gaps identified as part of the new requirements to report.

General DEI strategies are not
enough to drive change at the most
senior levels and more highly paid roles.

Inclusion gives scope to go beyond gender

While gender remains a majority DEI issue, the drive for greater inclusion has broadened the conversations beyond gender to encompass other diversity aspects including disability, sexual orientation, social class and ethnicity. By focusing on progress for ‘all,’ inclusion strategies are being developed that benefit all employees — male and female — through changes in work systems and policies.

Inclusion across all aspects of life

Ultimately, while important for greater employee experiences and business outcomes, the value of DEI and ensuring more diverse representation is equally important in politics, education, the arts and all aspects of our society. International Women’s Day marks progress for all, in everything we do.