Reimagining DEI
From symptoms amelioration to Systems Regeneration
DEI has become divisive and split into competing movements. For and against. Each seeking to block the other and reverse the others advances in return. How do we build something that opens a door to third force approaches that finds a higher, reconciling ground that evolves all members of society?
The "Reimagining DEI" suite is a developmental experience offered by the Regenerative Academy and Agora. This suite is designed for companies and other organizations ready to challenge the traditional approaches to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and engage with a deeper, more regenerative perspective that lifts the conversation to a higher successful one.
This suite equips participants with the materials and insights to enable participants to discover their own learned wisdom, and redesign their approaches to DEI in ways that are truly impactful and sustainable.
And these approaches are unable to be challenged in courts or affected by counter-movements, because they serve everyone better and work at cause, not forcing change on symptoms.
Rethink your epistemology
Embark on self-discovery and personal reflection, instead of over reliance on so-called experts, promoting a deeper understanding of identity and inclusivity.
Challenge Conventional DEI Approaches
Current DEI systems often work against true inclusion and equity by imposing a top down approach. Learn to adopt a holistic approach through the real-world experience and insights of participants.
Toxicity Elimination
We help you identify and eliminate toxic, fragmenting practices that invite opposition, hindering true inclusion and diversity.
“Carol Sanford shares the insights gleaned from a lifetime of working with path breaking businesses. She tells you how she worked with them to transform how they think about themselves and the world – and not only sustainable prosperity but levels of meaning and commitment that most firms only dream of. She has created the prototype for the future of business.”
Rebecca Henderson, Professor of Environmental Management, Harvard Business School
Why does DEI need to be Reimagined?
In a world where traditional diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts fall short of meaningful change, "Reimagining DEI" offers a fresh perspective; one from a living systems perspective. Despite significant investments in DEI training and initiatives, the results remain underwhelming, with many marginalized groups feeling little improvement in their careers or lives, and other groups feeling alienated. This suite addresses the core errors that hinder redesign of systemic bias, inviting participants to explore the underlying premises of their DEI efforts and to adopt a Regenerative, Living Systems Worldview. By shifting focus from symptoms to root causes, participants can achieve lasting, transformative change.
"Reimagining DEI" is not DEI training. It's a comprehensive exploration of the structures and systems that perpetuate inequality and exclusion—and suboptimal business as well. Drawing from decades of tested approaches in regenerative practices, this suite challenges participants to critically examine their current methods and assumptions. Instead of offering behavioral and symptom management, it provides a framework for rethinking DEI from the ground up, using principles that promote equity and inclusion by redesigning work practices and organizational systems.
What is Agora Partnership and Why Should Organizations Become Partners?
Organizations that purchase a qualifying block of licenses to "Reimagining DEI" for use in their organization gain more than just access to the suite of materials—they become partners in the Regenerative Agora community for deep, systemic change. Organizations that partner with the Regenerative Academy and Agora will receive recognition on our website, and we encourage them to proudly declare their partnership.
As partners, organizations can send organization members to free quarterly online events that expand on the course's underlying principles and offer ongoing support for implementing regenerative and systemic practices. This partnership not only enhances the effectiveness of DEI efforts within the organization but also connects them to a broader community seeking to use regenerative approaches to today's challenges.
What is the "Reimagining DEI" suite?
Participants will have access to recordings of the 2024 "Regenerative Human Potential Summit: Focus on DEI", attended by hundreds of business leaders from 33 industries. The five workshops of this summit are not intended to be passively taken in as information handed down from an authority, but are simply a starting point for groups exploration and development. Participants will discover for themselves the biases and assumptions within their own organizational systems designs, and chart courses for change.
Participants will also engage with the Radical Roots of Racism five part seminar, which challenges participants to undertake deep self-reflection and adopt a paradigm shift in both personal and organizational practices to address systemic racism, biases, and inequalities.
The foundational document tying it all together is Carol Sanford's latest white paper "Reimagining DEI: From Symptom Amelioration to System Transformation", introducing key insights from previous work and frameworks for participants to further change.
Participants will also find many supplementary interviews, transcripts, and writings from Carol Sanford, examining diversity and inclusion issues from regenerative and systemic approaches.
Can individuals use Reimagining DEI?
Yes, however the suite is intended for use in groups with a minimum of three people, in order to gain the maximum value of the reflection exercises accompanying each module. Each person with access to the suite will need to purchase a license. It is not sharable once purchased, but licensed to each person who wants to work with the ideas.
Who Should Participate?
This suite is for teams of leaders within organizations who have the authority and commitment to drive deep, systemic change. By working together, cross-functional teams can bring multiple perspectives to the table, ensuring that the new ideas generated are both practical and powerful. Organizations serious about transforming their DEI practices and creating lasting system and structural redesign should consider becoming partners in this pioneering effort.
Join us in "Reimagining DEI" and take the first step towards creating a more equitable, inclusive, and regenerative future.
What are the Key Concepts Covered in the Suite?
Root Cause Examination: Learn to distinguish between addressing symptoms and tackling the root causes of inequality. By focusing on the deeper issues, participants can create more effective and lasting change with fewer resources.
Challenging Assumptions: Explore how unexamined worldviews and social constructs create barriers to change. Develop strategies to question and evolve these assumptions for a more unified and impactful approach to DEI.
Regenerative Work Design: Discover how to redesign work practices and organizational systems to innately promote DEI. Move beyond reactive measures and behavioral change practices, and create environments where discrimination is difficult to arise by design.
Living Systems Thinking: Apply the principles of Living Systems and Nodal Thinking to work, and by its inclusion, your DEI efforts. This approach encourages a holistic view that considers the interconnectedness of all elements within a system, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
