Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have been widely adopted since 2020, but there is a significant gap between their intention and impact. The billions of dollars in DEI commitments have largely gone unspent, leading to disillusionment from employees and consumers alike. The money that has been spent has been largely ineffective or at times created even more divisiveness and we are seeing a shift away from genuine DEI efforts and spending.
DEI initiatives in the workplace often gloss over behavior science and mindset change, failing to address the root causes of inequality and exclusion. Instead of fostering purpose and connection among employees, these initiatives often result in tokenism and surface-level changes that do little to dismantle systemic inequities.
“This happens because organizations go through strategic planning processes, and their goals related to equity and belonging and talent retention are separate from their other business imperatives around sustainability and growth,” says Allison Brown, Chief of Transformation at TruNorth Institute. “We coach executives to create strategic plans to make an authentic transformation that drives the organization forward on all the metrics that matter most to them so equity is embedded in how they are innovating to meet market needs.”
TruNorth Institute, a pioneering social enterprise, is at the forefront of this paradigm shift. Through its innovative approach to workplace training and consulting, TruNorth Institute is challenging traditional notions of DEI and promoting a more comprehensive understanding of purpose, inclusion, and belonging.
In addition to addressing misconceptions, TruNorth Institute is also spearheading new approaches to DEI that go beyond traditional training programs and workshops. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and immersive experiences, the company can facilitate meaningful behavior change and foster authentic connections among employees. Through initiatives that integrate virtual reality into purpose-driven executive coaching, retreats, conferences, and workplace training, TruNorth Institute is redefining the way organizations create equitable transformations.
TruNorth Institute also focuses on the intersectionality of DEI efforts and social impact. The company recognizes that inequities in the workplace are often intertwined with broader social injustices, and seeks to address these issues through a holistic approach. By partnering with organizations focused on healthcare, education, and economic empowerment, TruNorth Institute aims to create systemic change that starts with the workforce and ripples out to all the people that they serve.
Additionally, many Fortune 500 companies with a global workforce are still lagging in adapting workplace and culture programming to resonate with other languages and cultures. To address this issue, TruNorth Institute honors the wisdom of cultures from across the globe so each individual feels seen and acknowledged while broadening their own cultural lens. This approach allows for more relatable talent development programs that resonate with different cultures. For example, TruNorth’s Colorado-based company has set up offices in Costa Rica, where they conduct healing retreats and work with multi-national companies based in South America. They are committed to being globally minded and are translating all of their training programs into multiple languages and cultural references.
TruNorth Institute has proven data showing that their focus on purpose is enhancing employee retention, satisfaction, and organizational performance for their clients. They offer executive coaching, develop a purpose-focused mindset, and identify opportunities to strengthen the organization’s impact through a cultural lens. The institute’s core content is digital and accessible on an app, allowing employees to listen while on the go. They also support stakeholders by connecting people and facilitating conversations in team retreats and meetings to build alignment around goals and challenges. This includes offering strategic planning and goal-setting sessions for teams and providing real-life, 2-way dialogue conversations about what gets in the way of employees following through on plans and achieving goals.
Some employees may resist change, even when given explicit directives from senior leadership around shifts to strategy and organizational structure. Allison Brown suggests companies intentionally recruit employees with a growth mindset. The key to success is having the right people on board, especially at the leadership level.
The company also provides support and guidance to entrepreneurs, helping them transition from side hustles to full hustles. The institute offers programs geared towards individuals with limited resources through their nonprofit arm, with various challenges to help entrepreneurs build the mindset and practices to make power moves. The non-profit mainly focuses on self-determination and self-renewal and offers the same executive-level retreats, coaching, and other resources to those who need a hand-up rather than a handout. By providing support and guidance, TruNorth Institute aims to help individuals overcome self-doubt and procrastination, leading to a more successful and fulfilling life that has a ripple effect on the communities that those individuals are servicing.
TruNorth has partnered with Kumanu, a tech and wellness company with a modern workplace platform centered on purpose. Their Purposeful app is now offering TruNorth’s self-paced, On Purpose training and tracks employee sentiments and key metrics, including connectedness to purpose and a sense of belonging. A successful business relies on employees feeling connected to their purpose, trusting in the CEO, understanding their roles, and navigating conflicts without major breakdowns. TruNorth collects additional survey data to help companies measure the connection between these indicators for success and the level of purpose and belonging to be reported.
TruNorth Institute is truly leading the way in uniquely blending state-of-the-art immersive technology with transformative human development practices for the sole purpose of uplifting humanity. By embracing purpose-driven action and fostering a future where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered, we can create a more abundant, inclusive society.
Media Contact
Name: Allison Brown
Email: [email protected]
