Working as a new short-term staff in a team of about five people, after being employed to relieve a member of the team who had been given a three-month compassionate leave, I knew first-hand what it meant to be discriminated against, when you are the only black person of colour in a team. One month before my contract ended, I was moved out of the team and given a space to work in on my own, isolated from the team. This was without any valid reason, but just that the staff I was relieving will be returning to work and giving me the isolated space, was just to honour my contract of employment. My desk was situated right at the back of the large room, behind another team’s space, completely isolated from the team I was meant to be working with. My team members collided with the staff that I was relieving and asked her to come back to work before the due date and that she would be given some concession with her working pattern so that she could still get some time to deal with the matters she had going on. No one on the team really spoke with me and mostly stared at me, like they never saw a black person before. I needed a lot of resilience at that time, to get through each day without breaking down.

 

This made me become more mindful with managing my situations, especially at work and gave me the experience that aided my approach of standing my ground, understanding my purpose and reason for being ‘in the midst’, when I am in places that may seem challenging due to the colour of my skin, hence, I prepared myself mentally and emotionally, to match the pressure, which was also challenging on its own.

 

These days, I have ditched the pressure and simply apply some wholesome strategies that have been helping me stay more resilient, when it comes to matters of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

 

As a DEI professional, you are not just fighting your battle. You are creating a world of immense change and the challenges are enormous. To protect your sanity, create your finest work and be at your best as an individual, you need to invest in practical strategies that will help you uphold your resilience.

Resilience is the ability to respond effectively to adverse or challenging situations. It is the ability to recover from difficulties and adapt to change. When facing challenges and difficult situations, resilient people use resources such as support systems and positive emotions to respond to the situation in a constructive way. They have an internal locus of control, which means they believe they are in control of their own happiness and success. They believe that their actions can create change and improve their situation. Resilient people have a positive outlook and can see the big picture. They are flexible and open to new ideas, even in stressful situations. They can manage their emotions and use them as a source of strength. While each of these is a useful trait, when they come together, they can create a powerful source of strength that is able to weather incredible challenges. Resilience is a quality that every person possesses to some extent but can be cultivated and developed further with practice.

 

Resilience is an important factor for any professional, especially those working in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As a DEI professional, you are likely to be exposed to challenging conversations and difficult topics. To remain resilient, you need tools and strategies that will help you stay focused and committed to the work you are doing. Here are seven resilience strategies that DEI professionals can use to stay motivated and empowered in their work. These strategies can help you maintain a sense of hope, even when facing difficult conversations or uncomfortable topics. They will also help you stay focused on the progress you are making and provide you with the confidence to continue your work to create lasting change.

DEI professionals often work in challenging and stressful environments. In addition to this, the topics DEI professionals discuss, such as discrimination and racism, can be difficult and uncomfortable to talk about. DEI professionals often face challenging situations, including difficult conversations and resistance to change. They are also often the ones initiating these challenging conversations, going out of their way to address difficult topics and make people feel uncomfortable. DEI professionals are often the ones taking a stand for change and initiating these difficult conversations, making them key targets for those who are resistant to change. DEI professionals are also often on the receiving end of resistance to their work, feeling the full force of this challenge first-hand. Because of this, resilience is an important factor for DEI professionals. It helps them stay motivated and empowered in their work when they are experiencing resistance. Resilience also helps DEI professionals stay focused on the progress they are making and provides them with the confidence to continue their work enthusiastically.

Boundaries are an important part of being resilient. They help you to stay focused on your goals and keep your energy focused on the work you are doing. When you establish boundaries, you are letting the people around you know what you are willing to accept and what you are not willing to accept. This can help you navigate challenging situations, especially those where you are being asked to do more than you are able to do or where you are being asked to do things in a way that is contrary to your values. You may also want to set boundaries if you are working with people who are being aggressive or hostile towards you. This can help you maintain control of the situation and keep yourself safe. Establishing boundaries can be as simple as saying no or explaining the amount of time and energy you have to give to others. You can also use a boundary setting technique called “if-then” planning. This involves setting a clear boundary, then coming up with a plan for what you will do if the boundary is violated.

A growth mindset is the belief that you can learn and improve through effort. This is different from a fixed mindset, which is the belief that your abilities are set and cannot be changed. People who have growth mindsets believe they can learn and improve through effort, even if they are dealing with significant challenges that they have faced in their lives. It can help you to stay motivated when you are facing challenges related to your work and your ability to do that work. It can help you to push through when you feel you are hitting a wall and are unable to make progress. It can also help you to stay positive and maintain a sense of hope when you feel like you are not making progress. A growth mindset also helps you to open up to new ideas and new ways of doing things. This is important, because as a DEI professional, you will likely encounter resistance to your work. Having a growth mindset allows you to accept the challenge while remaining committed to your values.

Taking breaks is an important part of being resilient. It allows you to take a step back and recharge your batteries so that you can come back to your work with fresh eyes and a positive outlook. Taking breaks does not mean you are giving up or letting challenges defeat you. It means you are taking care of yourself and setting yourself up for success. You may need different types of breaks at different times in your work. Some common types of breaks include physical breaks, mental breaks, and social/emotional breaks. Physical breaks can include taking a walk or going for a yoga class. Mental breaks can include taking time to do a puzzle or play a game. Social/emotional breaks can include connecting with your support system or spending time with people who love and support you. Whatever your break looks like, make sure you are getting enough of it. Breaks should last long enough for you to truly disengage and refresh yourself so that you can come back to your work with a fresh mind and renewed energy.

Self-care is an important part of being a resilient person. It is the act of caring for yourself as if you were a loved one or a child. It is also an important part of keeping your spirit strong so that you can continue to do the work you are called to do. Self-care can be different things for different people. It can be something as simple as going for a walk, eating a good meal, or reading a book. Other people might have more involving practices, such as meditation or yoga. No matter what your self-care looks like, make sure you are taking the time and space to do it. This will help you to stay focused and committed to the work that you are doing. It will also help you to open up to new ideas and new ways of doing things. This is important because as a DEI professional, you will likely encounter resistance to your work. Having a strong spirit will allow you to accept the challenge while remaining committed to the work you love.

A support system is a group of people who understand your work and challenges and who care about you. They can provide an important source of support and encouragement as you face challenges in your work. A support system can come in many different forms. It might be a group of people you meet with regularly who can provide both emotional and practical support. It might be a friend or family member who you can talk to when you are feeling stressed or need advice. It might be a person who you can call when you are in a challenging situation and need help with navigating it. Connecting with a support system can help you to stay resilient through challenging times. It can help you to push through when you feel like you are hitting a wall and are unable to make progress. Having a support system also provides you with an opportunity to give back to others and help others who might be experiencing the same thing.

When you are facing challenges in your work, it can be helpful to reframe them. This means looking at the challenge from a different perspective so that it doesn’t seem as daunting or challenging. For example, if you find yourself facing significant resistance to your work, you might reframe this as an opportunity to deepen your work with others by exploring the root causes of their resistance. If you find yourself feeling exhausted and overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do, you might reframe this as an opportunity to become even more efficient and effective at your work. Resolving challenges is an important part of being a resilient person. Resilience allows you to stay focused on your work and continue to move towards your goals, even when facing significant challenges.

Celebrating your successes is an important part of being resilient. It allows you to recognize the small as well as the large successes that you have encountered in your work. It is a way for you to give back to yourself and rejuvenate your interest and motivation.