The Power of Partnership: Advancing ID&E Together
Despite polarizing rhetoric, employers stay dedicated to advancing inclusion, diversity, and equity (ID&E) efforts, relying on consistent communication and leadership buy-in. As a purpose-driven search firm, Nexus partners with both talent and employers to bolster future success. Our team overviewed two recent studies conducted by the Institute of Corporate Productivity (i4cp), CHIEF, and Wakefield Research.
At Nexus Search Partners, we believe deeply in the power of partnership to drive meaningful change. That ethos guides our approach to executive search, where we work hand-in-hand with clients to find talent that will be strong cultural adds. And it shapes our commitment to advancing inclusion, diversity, and equity (ID&E) efforts in the workplace.
Thaddeus Jones
“If companies are not really inclusive, and they’re not really open and welcoming, it doesn’t matter who you are and what you belong to if you can’t be yourself once you get there,” shares Thaddeus Jones, founder and managing partner at Nexus Search Partners.
“Inclusion is so important. So I just like to lead with the ‘I’ (in DEI). Because the ‘I,’ to me, introduces all the other things that come.”
Recent research affirms that despite reactionary headlines pronouncing “the death of ID&E,” employers remain dedicated to this critical work. A survey from the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp) found that 75% of large companies have made progress on ID&E goals over the past 18 months. Just 9% reported no advancement.
Read full study here.
Fundamentally, effective ID&E efforts require consistent, thoughtful communication and willingness from leadership to champion the cause. The i4cp study found the top drivers of ID&E success are leadership buy-in, clear goals and accountability, and embedding ID&E into the company culture.
Read full study here.
Similarly, a Chief survey of 600 U.S. executives highlighted the tension leaders face balancing empathetic policies that support employee well-being and drive for productivity.
96% of executives believe that an effective leader must support employees in both their personal and professional lives.
31% feel they could be doing more to support their employees
Read full study here.
Yet 62% believe their company strikes the right equilibrium between personal and professional realms.
As a purpose-driven firm that lives out our belief in the power of partnership, Nexus stands ready to support both talent and employers on their journeys. We prioritize inclusion in our own search practice and are committed to bolstering the pipeline of leaders. Our hands-on, individualized approach allows us to coach both clients and candidates to find the right cultural fit—and most importantly—add value to their respective organizations.
In the spirit of partnership, we also aim to give back to the communities we serve. By supporting educational initiatives and nonprofit partners, we hope to fuel the next generation of diverse talent poised to meet the evolving needs of businesses.
The path ahead promises continued complexity, but the commitment remains steadfast. Through open communication, willingness to learn, and a shared spirit of partnership, we can advance ID&E efforts together.