My D&I Journey with:
Annie Wu,
Global Head of Inclusion & Diversity,
H&M Group
1. What was your journey into diversity and inclusion?
I started my career as an employment attorney, always working in-house and on the management side. However, ensuring that the employees of any company that I worked for always were treated fairly, equally and had a chance to advocate for themselves. This was a fundamental and essential approach to me. From working so closely with both Legal and HR departments, I saw transitioning into DE&I as the proactive way to continue ensuring that inclusive, fair and equal treatment both inside and outside any organization. And personally, growing up in Queens, NYC, being a part of the melting pot of the world, it was not until I moved to Europe that I recognized how privileged I was to be surrounded and grow up with so many different cultures, ethnicities and amazing food. I would love for people to appreciate instead of fear differences.
2. How would you describe a typical day in your role?
There are no typical days…which is why I love this job. If structure and predictability is what you thrive on, then this work will not fulfill you, but rather frustrate you. However, if complex problem solving and willingness to learn, listen and act are what drives you, then you will thrive. This work is about education, change management, organizational development and emotional intelligence as much as also balancing the needs of the business with the expectations of both employees and consumers.
3. What is the best part of your job?
Always the people that are impacted! It will always be rewarding if you know that the work will help people, it can be in little or big ways but if there is some sort of impact that you can see, feel or know, all the hard work is worth it! I like to think that all DE&I practitioners want the world to be a better place for everyone.
4. What advice would you give to someone looking to move into D&I?
Really understand the intention of getting into the work. It is not for the faint of heart. At the core of it, you are educating people, and sometimes trying to change minds and hearts and it can be tiring and frustrating. But, if you know why you are doing it, and it is a part of you, then please come and join this movement. We can always use people with intention.
5. What are the main challenges faced by D&I professionals at the moment?
Politics and the fearmongering that is happening in the news and social media. The othering of each other and the “culture wars” that goes directly against the work and behavior that we try to foster. Instead of having a debate or conversation to learn from each other and to be open minded to each other’s beliefs and values, the politicizing of what is left and right will do no favors for anyone.
6. Name three skills that support you to succeed in D&I
1. Active listening, you need to really understand why someone feels or acts the way that they do.
2. Have an open mind, just because someone does not agree with your thoughts, and beliefs does not mean that they are wrong.
3. Patience, this is a marathon which may never finish because we are talking about humans and our innate biases and behaviors.
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The Foundations to Being an Effective D&I Leader
Online Training Workshops
600+ DE&I and HR professionals have now attended our ‘The Foundations to Being an Effective D&I Leader’ CPD Accredited online training series.
- Level 1 is for professionals looking to move into a D&I role, or those who have been in a D&I leader role for less than 12 months.
- Level 2 is for professionals who have been in a D&I role for between 1 to 3 years, and are looking to enhance their knowledge and skills.
- Level 3 is for professionals who have been in a D&I role for 3+ years, and are looking to enhance their capabilities and embed a whole organisation approach to D&I.
Each CPD Accredited level offers a unique opportunity to learn from three experienced D&I practitioners:
Gamiel Yafai; Fiona Daniel and Toby Mildon.
Tickets at each online workshop cost £499+VAT per person (£399+VAT for non-profit orgs). Spaces limited to 24 attendees to enable the day to be as interactive as possible. Workshops take place live on Zoom.