Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as Fertile Foundation for Workplace Well-Being, Optimal Performance, and Planetary Health

As many workplaces become more diverse, organizational leaders and managers need to create safe, equitable, and inclusive environments. However, in view of recent events, that go beyond the U.S., where inequity and exclusion persist across systems – within organizations, society, and in view of increasing global challenges – leaders have an even more critical and urgent role to play. Macro-level global issues, such as around the impacts of COVID-19 or climate change, affect people differently, largely due to existing inequities. The challenge is knowing how to root DEI initiatives in the workplace in ways that are sustainable and impactful with this larger view. This chapter describes specifically the essential qualities, tools, and techniques organizational leaders need to be able to harness the strengths of inclusivity, equity, well-being for optimal performance and planetary health.