The Power We Still Hold
The backlash against DEI is loud. Budgets are shrinking. Programs are being dismantled. Companies that once championed diversity, equity and inclusion are going quiet.
But DEI—by name or not—is about our shared humanity. And no one can legislate away our ability to lead with empathy, to create space for others and to design a world that works for all of us.
Why DEI and Happiness Are Inseparable
We know that diversity isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a driver of success.
Research has shown that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, driving up to 35% higher financial returns than industry averages (McKinsey, 2020). Inclusion fuels innovation, resilience and engagement. Psychological safety—the belief that you can express yourself without fear of punishment or rejection—is a core predictor of team effectiveness (Google’s Project Aristotle). And at an individual level, people who feel included experience higher well-being, lower stress and greater job satisfaction (Harvard Business Review, 2022).
Happiness and success are intertwined with belonging. When we design for inclusion, we’re designing for human flourishing.
The Work Continues—No Matter What
Even if the funding, initiatives and formal protections disappear, the work of building an inclusive world doesn’t stop. It simply shifts into the decisions we make daily, the way we lead and how we show up in every space we move through.
In our communities, inclusion looks like:
Ensuring diverse voices are heard in local decision-making
Installing wheelchair ramps, barrier-free sidewalks and safe crosswalks
Providing multilingual resources in libraries and community centers
Supporting businesses owned by underrepresented entrepreneurs
Advocating for policies that expand access to education, housing and healthcare
Ensuring public transportation is accessible and affordable for all
Creating safe, welcoming community spaces for marginalized groups
Hosting cultural festivals and events that celebrate diverse traditions
Providing mental health resources and crisis support in multiple languages
Encouraging neighborhood initiatives that connect and uplift diverse residents
In our workplaces, inclusion looks like:
Amplifying marginalized voices in meetings and decision-making
Ensuring hiring and promotions are equitable and bias-free
Making physical and digital spaces accessible (e.g., all-gender restrooms, screen-reader-friendly websites, ergonomic office spaces)
Offering flexible work arrangements to support caregivers and employees with disabilities
Providing mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for underrepresented employees
Implementing pay transparency to address wage gaps
Celebrating cultural and religious holidays beyond the dominant calendar
Providing mental health benefits that are inclusive of diverse needs
Ensuring employee handbooks and policies use inclusive language
Creating employee resource groups (ERGs) to support diverse identities and experiences
In our classrooms, inclusion looks like:
Reflecting diverse cultures, histories and identities in the curriculum
Creating sensory-friendly learning spaces for neurodivergent students
Ensuring digital tools and materials are accessible for students with disabilities
Offering diverse food options that respect cultural and dietary needs
Providing adaptive technology, financial assistance and mental health resources for all students
Training teachers in culturally responsive teaching practices
Making school events accessible to all families, including those with disabilities or language barriers
Encouraging student-led diversity initiatives and affinity groups
Providing gender-neutral restrooms and safe spaces for all students
Ensuring school libraries carry books with diverse characters, authors and perspectives
Designing for a Better Future
Happiness requires action.
It’s not just a feeling—it’s the result of the choices we make and the systems we build. Leaders at every level have the power to embed equity into decision-making, to create spaces where people can thrive and to keep moving forward even when the external landscape shifts.
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.
These are not just corporate programs. They are the foundation of human-centered leadership, of innovation and of a better world. Whether we call it DEI or not, the mission remains—to design a world where everyone has the opportunity to flourish.
And that is work we can all do—today, tomorrow and always.
Want to take action and lead with happiness?
Join me and other Happy Leaders for my monthly Happy Leader Power Hour, where we connect, strategize and support each other in designing workplaces and communities that work for everyone. Register below.
