Diversiology Insiders Report - This Isn’t Optional: Mental Health as a Leadership Practice
Theme: DEI Under Fire—And Still Fighting Back The battle over DEI isn’t subtle anymore. In South Africa, government lawyers are defending the Equity Act in court, arguing that affirmative action is not only legal—it’s necessary to correct generational harm. Meanwhile, voices like Jason Riley are making waves in the U.S. with claims that Black Americans were already making progress before affirmative action, fueling calls to rethink its relevance. Inside corporate America, some are folding under pressure. The American Bar Association just hit pause on its diversity accreditation standards for law schools, a move critics see as a political concession with long-term impact. And yet, resilience isn’t off the table. Costco has shown what happens when leadership doesn’t flinch—maintaining its DEI commitments and reaping loyalty and morale in return. The same goes for LA Pride, which bucked the national trend of sponsor dropouts by doing what many won’t: building trust before backlash. Key Reflection Question: Rocki’s Take:
Happy Mother's DayHappy Mother’s Day to Every Kind of Mom Today, we celebrate the fierce, loving, resilient force that is motherhood—in all its forms. To the birth moms, adoptive moms, bonus moms, chosen moms, foster moms, grandmas who stepped in, aunties holding it down, godmothers, and mother figures who guide with wisdom and love. To the single moms doing it all, the working moms juggling it all, and the stay-at-home moms showing up every single day. To the moms parenting through grief, the moms who’ve lost children, the moms who have lost their own mothers, and those who are navigating strained or complex mother relationships—our hearts are with you. To the hopeful moms-to-be, the women on the journey to motherhood, the ones mothering in spirit, and those who nurture communities, teams, dreams, and futures. We see you. We honor you. We celebrate you. Motherhood isn't one-size-fits-all—it's love in action, in every way it shows up. Wishing you a day filled with peace, joy, and recognition. Practitioner InsightMental Health Leadership Isn’t Optional—It’s Foundational We talk a lot about psychological safety, but what we don’t always say out loud is this: many managers don’t know how to recognize, respond to, or resource mental health challenges in their teams. And even more don’t realize that how they lead is shaping workplace mental health every day—whether they intend to or not. Mental health leadership isn’t about giving a pep talk during Mental Health Awareness Month or dropping a link to the EAP. It’s about modeling boundaries. Holding space for transparency without demanding disclosure. Naming stress without weaponizing it. And knowing when to take action versus when to step back and simply listen. In this moment—where burnout is real, and the costs of silence are higher than ever—DEI practitioners have a critical role to play: equipping managers with frameworks that are simple, grounded, and human. Not another checklist. A shift in mindset. A reset on what people-first leadership actually looks like. Because until mental health becomes a leadership reflex, too many people will keep suffering in silence. For a grounded, practical guide to help managers build those reflexes, read the full article. Resources You Can UseMental Health Leadership Playbook for People Managers This isn’t a deep dive—and that’s the point. It’s a straightforward, easy-to-use resource designed to help managers take small but meaningful steps toward supporting mental health on their teams. No jargon. No overwhelm. Just simple prompts, quick check-ins, and practical tips for showing up with more presence and care. If your managers are unsure where to start, start here. Weekly SpotlightRelease & Renew: A Workplace Grief Session Grief doesn’t wait for PTO. It shows up in the middle of strategy meetings, project deadlines, and performance reviews. But most workplaces still treat it like something to keep quiet about—when what we really need is room to breathe, reflect, and connect. That’s what made last year’s “Release & Renew” session on LinkedIn so necessary. In conversation with Franka Baly, Megan McCann, and Ashley Andersen, we held space for the hard stuff: loss, vulnerability, and what it means to support each other through it all. One message has stayed with me since:  If you missed it—or if this season is weighing heavy—this replay is still here for you. 🙌 Stay Engaged, Stay Inspired!As we move through a shifting landscape, let’s remember: clarity, courage, and connection are our greatest assets. Keep leading with resilience, keep pushing past performative gestures, and keep showing up for the real work. Drop me a note anytime — I love hearing from you. Share your feedback, your reflections, or just say hi! Wishing you an awesome and productive week ahead.
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