In this episode of MOVE Like This
, host Bonnie talks with Cass Bailey, CEO of Slice Communications, about how professional services firms can communicate their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values with intention and clarity. Drawing from her background in PR, internal messaging, and crisis communications, Cass shares strategies for navigating today’s complex social and political environment while remaining true to a firm’s mission and culture.
Cass explains how the language around DEI has become polarized, often leading to confusion or silence. She encourages firms to shift from labels to values – focusing on concepts like opportunity, belonging, and access – to communicate more authentically and avoid buzzword fatigue. The conversation also touches on the business case for inclusive workplaces, especially as the accounting profession faces a looming talent shortage and changing workforce expectations.
Cass emphasizes that effective communication must align internal culture with external messaging. Firms can’t just hire for diversity, they must also build a culture where everyone feels heard and valued. By embedding inclusive values into daily operations and communications, Cass says firms can future-proof their talent pipeline and strengthen both their reputation and employee experience.
Key Takeaways:
- Embed DEI in Your Strategy, Not on the Sidelines: DEI efforts are most effective when they’re integrated into the firm’s strategic plan, not treated as standalone initiatives or temporary projects.
- Rethink the Language, Not the Commitment: As terms like “DEI” become politicized, firms can stay aligned with their values by shifting language to focus on opportunity, access, and belonging without abandoning the core mission.
- Align Internal and External Communications: When your public messaging about inclusion doesn’t match the internal employee experience, it creates distrust, turnover, and reputational risk.
- Know Your Stakeholders and Speak to Them Clearly: Firms must balance the expectations of employees, clients, and ownership groups, each of whom brings different perspectives to inclusion, values, and progress.
- Recruiting Is Your First DEI Metric: The ability to attract, hire, and retain talent from a broad range of backgrounds directly impacts a firm’s capacity to grow and serve clients, especially amid labor shortages.
- Confusion Breeds Burnout: Without clear communication and leadership direction, employees feel unsure about what’s acceptable. This lack of clarity leads to disengagement, frustration, and attrition.
- Now Is the Time to Clarify and Reinforce Your Values: In times of social and political volatility, firms should double down on communicating their values through messaging, behavior, and everyday decisions.
- Be Ready for the Next Curveball: Whether it’s DEI, AI, leadership transitions, or data breaches, firms need nimble communication strategies that can adapt to constant change, not just react to it.
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