From Intention to Impact: A Practical Guide to Diversity (comma) Equity (comma) and Inclusion,
Malia C. Lazu
MIT Press (February 2024)

Good intentions with0ut high-impact engagement is essentially worthless.

Opinions are divided — sometimes sharply divided —  about the value of  DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. I think that those who oppose as well as those who support those initiatives should read Malia Lazu’s book, From Intention to Impact.

Sometimes people disagree about the WHAT, others about the WHY, still others about the HOW, and even a few about everything.

Lazu’s  insights and counsel are based on wide and deep experience with DEI issues. For example:

1. The seven stages from intention to impact
2. Four ways by which companies can become antiracist
3. Three steps by which companies can find their authentic voice
4. Major misconceptions and barriers to DEI
5. Five “legs” of a decentralized organization
6. Five “tips” for attracting and retaining diverse talent
7. Six ways to “move the needle” on vendor diversity
8. Nine suggestions as to how to answer this two-part question: “Where do we go frim here? How do we get there?”

These are among the passages of greatest interest and value to me, also, listed to indicate the nature and scope of Lazu’s coverage:

o Waking Up to Uncomfortable Truths (Pages 5-7)
o Evolve or Die (11-14)
o An Investment in Equity (17-19)
o Where Are We Now? Boycotts and Reputational Risks (24-26)
o Making Antiracism the New Normal (27-32)

o How Companies Can Become Antiracist: Four Steps  (32-34)
o What Performative Action Looks Like (45-47)
o More Than Just Social (51-56)
o Finding Your Company’s Authentic Voice: Four Initiatives (58-64)
o Start Quietly Until You Find Your Voice — Then Yell Like Hell! (62-64)

o Setting Goals for Success (70-77)
o The Power of Curiosity (85-88)
o Culture Audits and What They Uncover (91-95)
o The Three Ls [Listen, Learn, Love]: (95-100)
o Decentralizing DEI Gets You to A Cultural Tipping Point More Quickly — and More Sustainably (101-103)

o Changing the Diversity Reputation in Banking (112-116)
o Rerating Talent — in a Company and in a City (114-118)
o Top Companies Lead the Way on Vendor Diversity (121-128)
o Where to Go from Here? (129-132)
o The New Entrepreneurs (134-138)

From Intention to Impact is a brilliant achievement. In fact, I view it as a “must read” for all senior-level executives in almost all organizations, whatever their size and nature may be. Also, for those who are preparing for a career in business or have only recently embarked on one. Bravo!

These are among Malia Lazu’s concluding thoughts: “The world is ready — and so, I hope, are you. As a leader, you have agency, no matter where you are in your company. Most important, if you are a manager, you have the confidence that will lead you further into leadership. You know your business, you know your company’s culture, you know your colleagues and peers. Now it’s time to leverage that knowledge and take action. Set a legacy that the next generation won’t have to apologize for or explain away. Is corporate America genuinely interested in helping build equity? We will find out by how you lead.”

With all due respect to the importance of having a compelling vision that attracts support, it would be a good idea to keep in mind this observation by Thomas Edison: “Vision without execution is hallucination.”

* * *

Here are two other suggestions while you are reading From Intention to Impact: First, highlight key passages. Also,  perhaps in a notebook kept near-at-hand (e.g. Apica Premium C.D. Notebook A5), record your comments, questions, and action steps (preferably with deadlines). Pay special attention to the eight aforementioned sets of suggestions re how to  complete the transition from intention to impact.

These two simple tactics — highlighting and documenting — will expedite frequent reviews of key material later.