Emotional Connection Promotes Change
It can be challenging to get the whole organization on board when it comes to DEI. Discussions last week at our D&I Lab focused on why, when, and how to implement “Feel the Need” exercises or these aha moments in order to gain DEI support. Change is emotional. Research has proven again and again that change happens when we see and feel the need for change in the unconscious mind and not when we rationally understand the need for change. That is why “ Feel the Need” exercises are an important part of getting the organization onboarded.
The Inclusion Nudges by Tina Nielsen and Lisa Kepinski target change resistance through 3 different approaches.
“Feel the Need” – Targeting motivation through an emotional connection
“Process” – Targeting ability and simplicity through easy processes
“Framing” – Targeting perception through applying an alternative frame.
Feel the Need Example Exercise
Here is a quick thought exercise. “ A father and son get in a car crash and are rushed to the hospital. The father dies. The boy is taken to the operating room, and the surgeon says, “I can’t operate on this boy, because he’s my son.”
Who is the surgeon? Take a moment.
70% of people get this riddle wrong, including me. If you got the answer wrong, take a moment to think about 1-2 emotions that come up for you.
Embracing the Egg on My Face
Part of nudging change is emotional.
Initially, when I got this particular riddle wrong, I felt embarrassment, as though I had an egg on my face because my underlying assumption was that the surgeon had to be a man. Prior to knowing the answer, I tried to rationalize my underlying assumption by stating the surgeon was the stepdad or adoptive father. After the initial embarrassment subsided, I took this exercise as a learning moment. A confirmation that as humans, we really do operate on autopilot whether we intend to or not. However, it is essential for leaders, employees, and people in general to slowdown and reassess our automatic assumptions.
Color Blindness Experiment
Remember emotional motivation helps nudge change, however it may be short lived. Therefore, it is important that organizations think about implementing DEI systematically in order to promote the longevity and future success of your organization.
One recommendation could be installing a Google Extension that mimics color-blindness and visual impairments in order to see what your audience sees. This can be a good exercise to test your organizational’s website accessibility as well.
Also, check out our inclusive leadership training that helps leaders gain an inclusive lens as well as lasting skills.