Leading change is never easy. IT leaders should prioritize diversity initiatives within the teams they lead and discover innovative ways to implement it.

1. Understanding,
Unlocking, and
Leading
Diversity in IT

2. HELLO!
Al Gardner
You can find me at:
www.linkedin.com/in/algardner528
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3. PerspectiveWhat do you see?
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5. Understanding

6. Understanding
▪ There is a lot of good intention, but the
needle is not moving.
▪ Why are we okay with… “we’re working on
it.”
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7. “Do. Or do not. There is
no try.
Yoda - The Empire Strikes
Back
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8. ▪ Avoid the trap of
“admiring the problem.”
▪ Talks, lectures, classes,
and roundtables about
diversity often bring
anxiety.
▪ When do we move from
conversations and brown
bag lunches to action?
Understanding
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11. Understanding
▪ Do you have a diversity “North Star?”
▪ Company/ Team Culture
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12. Understanding
▪ Racially diverse teams outperform non-diverse teams
by 35%.
▪ In the United States, there is a linear relationship
between racial and ethnic diversity and better
financial performance: For every 10 percent increase
in racial and ethnic diversity on the senior-executive
team, EBITDA rises 0.8 percent.
▪ Currently 97% of U.S Companies fail to have senior
leadership teams that reflect the country’s ethnic
labor force.
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13. Unlocking

14. Unlocking – Grow Comfortable
in Discomfort
▪ Challenging your own biases (unconscious
and conscience) and experiences that you
HONESTLY detect.
▪ Be willing to leave your comfort zone and
discard negative stereotypes and
messaging.
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15. Unlocking
▪ Ask questions in your organization and be
willing to be part of the solution (put some
skin in the game).
▪ Identify areas that you can directly impact (
your sphere or area of responsibility).
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16. Unlocking
▪ Empower cultural liaisons.
▪ The lack of diversity stunts the
mainstreaming of IT. Bringing cultural
liaisons aboard corporate teams can help
bridge gaps and broaden an organization’s
positive influence and reach, all while
bringing in new perspectives and strategies.
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17. Leading

18. Leading
▪ Impactful, sustained
change must be
championed from the top
down. If there is no real
executive or senior
leadership investment,
the change will be
temporary at best.
▪ Change takes courage.
▪ Keep people around who
will question you.18

19. Leading
▪ Determine if and why diversity is important to
you.
▪ Challenge your biases and be willing to be
uncomfortable.
▪ Be intentional about seeking out a diverse
talent pool.
▪ Model and champion the value of diversity
with your team.19

20. USE YOUR VOICE
UnlockUnderstand Lead
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21. THANKS!
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You can
find me on
LinkedIn
at: