Log in or create a free Rosenverse account to watch this video.
Log in Create free account100s of community videos are available to free members. Conference talks are generally available to Gold members.
Talent Acquisition and Our Responsibility
Summary
So much of the work around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is intentionality. Recruiting should be happening at all levels at all times, at times latent and at times active. This is the work of an entire organization but as design leaders we can mandate this in our code of ethics. In the conversation, we talk about the ways to be and remain persistent and committed to building diverse internal communities.
Key Insights
-
•
Code-switching at work is a heavy, often unacknowledged burden for many employees of color.
-
•
Companies must create truly safe psychological spaces where people feel free to bring their whole selves without fear.
-
•
Diverse interview panels help candidates feel represented and reduce bias during hiring.
-
•
Proactive recruiting outside typical elite channels uncovers hidden and underrepresented talent.
-
•
Small recognition programs like Envision's bonus kudos can significantly boost employee morale and belonging.
-
•
Anonymous employee surveys with hard questions help identify unmet needs in workplace inclusion.
-
•
Rethinking hiring criteria to value coachability and growth potential over rigid checklists opens doors for diverse hires.
-
•
Accountability mechanisms and leadership buy-in are essential for meaningful diversity and equity progress.
-
•
Removing educational biases in job descriptions expands access to more diverse candidates.
-
•
Design operations professionals play a key role as internal advocates pushing organizations toward equitable cultures.
Notable Quotes
"As a Black woman, I can't bring my whole self to work, but I hope one day we will."
"People often change their entire selves just to seem educated or fit in at work."
"If we truly want diverse teams, we have to create safe spaces for people to do their best work."
"Making sure your interview panel includes someone a candidate can identify with is a small but critical step."
"Recruiting can be tedious, but every interaction is a chance to show candidates you care."
"Sometimes you have to take a chance and hire someone because they have the ability to grow into the role."
"Removing rigid educational requirements opens more opportunities for diverse talent."
"Half of your final stage candidates should be diverse — that kind of commitment drives real change."
"We can be the squeaky wheel inside organizations pushing for psychological safety and equity."
"This moment in history is a revolution — no more complacency, we have to keep working for change."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Global and local cultures are closely entwined and always influencing one another."
Chloe Amos-EdkinsA Cultural Approach: Research in the Context of Glocalisation
March 27, 2023
"We need to get comfortable with the unknown and embrace that some days we’ll sprint and others we’ll fall flat — but we go farther together."
Tricia WangSpatial Collapse: Designing for Emergent Culture
January 8, 2024
"Our clients all have innovation portfolios, but if you zoom out, it's many micro decisions over time that are often opportunistic, lacking strategic connection."
Milan Guenther Benjamin KumpfThe $212 billion ‘so what?’: unlocking impact in development cooperation
November 20, 2025
"Without a human in the loop, AI can go off and do crazy disastrous things."
Jon Fukuda Amy Evans Ignacio Martinez Joe MeersmanThe Big Question about Innovation: A Panel Discussion
September 25, 2024
"Language matters—make your OKRs user-centric and customer-focused to avoid them feeling like overhead."
Bria Alexander Benson Low Natalya Pemberton Stephanie GoldthorpeOKRs—Helpful or Harmful?
January 20, 2022
"Analysts are paid to call your babies ugly; but many companies hide those reports—I'm pushing all of them up to leadership."
John TaschekMaking People the X-Factor in the Enterprise
June 15, 2018
"The harder I think, the further I am from the answer."
Dan WillisEnterprise Storytelling Sessions
May 13, 2015
"Customers in the program become our greatest source of learning and help shape the future of our products."
Tracy McGoldrickIBM User Experience Program—The What, Why and How
October 15, 2021
"You are all very excited about the future of design ops because you are charting the course together."
Alana WashingtonTheme 3 Intro
October 1, 2021
