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A GovLoop Guide
The Rise of the Conscious Leader The social unrest of 2020 elevated the perennially important topic of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), causing many
Relational
agency leaders to strive for more conscious leadership. But saying they want to be more conscious and taking actions
toward achieving the goal aren’t the same, said Tiana Sanchez, a Corporate Trainer and Author.
Organizations with successful conscious leadership look at
DEI through three prisms: relational, ethical and tactical. Each
has subsections, but the foundation for all is caring. “We need to live, breathe and demonstrate care all the time in our work
Tactical
Ethical
environment,” Sanchez said. “When we care about others, we are placing value on that person.”
The relational prism: Employers must relentlessly value employees. That means
being “others-centered,” or focusing on yourself last, and promoting a feeling of connectedness among employees.
How to achieve it: 1. Assess professional needs individually,
based on ability, culture, education, gender and race.
2. Consider psychological needs based on
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which states that some needs, such as a feeling of safety, must be met before others.
3. Emphasize HR workers. They are the
relationship brokers who can help ensure those needs are met.
4. Invest in employees, both by correcting the devaluation – the reduction or
underestimation of the worth of something or someone – through equitable career
development offerings and by protecting
them physically and psychologically. “When you give more, you are naturally going to get more,” Sanchez said.
Takeaways: • Employees want to feel valued and appreciated.
• Employers optimize productivity when they give more, not when they only take.
• Devaluation can lead to resignation.
