This week on the Nonprofit Science Podcast I am joined by Dr. Ruth Sessler Bernstein.
Dr. Bernstein is an Associate Professor of Nonprofit Management at Pepperdine University.
Her publication and research interests focus on diversity and inclusive interactions, and nonprofit governance.
Her publications have appeared in numerous nonprofit and management journals, including Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: An International Journal, and Journal of Business Ethics.
During this conversation, we discuss:
⦿ [8:20] Why each organization or team needs to analyze for itself what they mean by diversity and what are the areas within diversity that they want to focus on
⦿ [21:26] How one of the unintended consequences of outward signals of diversity is that, overtime, the majority group members become less sensitive to issues of unfairness or claims of discrimination. Moreover, they become more sensitive and concerned about discrimination against themselves.
⦿ [25:09] What are some of the anti-inclusive practices that organizations may exhibit
⦿ [29:45] The six different practices that individuals can structure to create an inclusive culture
⦿ [35:25] How putting these practices in place for a period of at least six months, allows groups to find that working together with diverse others is helping the organization achieve its goals- that diversity is not a detriment but a positive.
⦿ [39:02] Who takes charge of this? Somebody must be the one to make it happen. Should it come from the leader or the board? How does this work best according to your research
⦿ [42:39] DEI has become politicized so for individuals who want to make a change in their organizations, are there other terms that resonate more?
⦿ [44:30] How to measure the success of a shift in organizational culture by looking at indicators of performance
Put it into Practice
⦿ What does diversity mean for you and your organization?
⦿ Has your organization experienced any negative unintended consequences of DEI initiatives?
⦿ How can you implement the six practices mentioned in this episode?
Rate, Review, and Follow
Are you subscribed to our podcast? If you’re not, I invite you to do that today. I’m adding a bunch of new, information-packed training episodes into the mix and I don’t want you to miss any of it! Click here to subscribe in Apple Podcasts!
And, if you got a lot of value out of this episode, I would be so grateful for a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews help others find the Nonprofit Science Podcast and helps me support others just like you. Simply click here, open the show up in Apple Podcasts, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” to let me know what your favorite part of this podcast is. Thank you so much!
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
⦿ Article: Predictors of Organizational Diversity: Examining Community Demographics & Political Ideology
⦿ Article: Governance Effectiveness: The Interaction of Ethno-Racial Diversity and Social Capital
⦿ Article: From Diversity to Inclusion to Equity: A Theory of Generative Interactions
⦿ Article: Ethno-racial Diversity on nonprofit Boards: A Critical Mass Perspective
⦿ Article: Case Studies: Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Nonprofit Governance
⦿ Book: Performance through Diversity and Inclusion: Leveraging Organizational Practices for Equity and Results
⦿ Book: Diversity and Inclusion in Nonprofit Governance: No More Excuses!
⦿ Learn more about Dr. Ruth Bernstein’s work
