How Leading Organizations Make DE&I Decisions
i4cp research shows that high-performance organizations are 1.5x more likely to use data—rather than outside pressure—to guide their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategies. But what does this look like in practice?
In this edition of Next Practices Weekly, i4cp’s Lorrie Lykins and Eric Davis shared exclusive insights from a recent pulse survey examining how leading organizations are making DE&I decisions amid legal, cultural, and operational headwinds. The data reveals that while many companies are navigating uncertainty in the wake of executive orders and shifting public sentiment, most are continuing their DE&I efforts — with a renewed focus on transparency, communication, and data-driven decision-making.
High-performance organizations, in particular, are using this moment to reassess, realign, and reinforce their commitment to inclusive practices.
Key themes and takeaways:
- Transparency builds trust: Communicating openly — even when decisions are in progress — fosters trust among employees and reinforces leadership credibility.
- Data-driven DE&I is resilient: High-performance organizations are leaning into data to guide and justify DE&I strategies, making them less reactive and more future-focused.
- Disruption is real — and measurable: Over half of surveyed organizations reported disruption tied to recent executive orders, with 67% citing a decline in employee well-being.
- Defining DE&I on your own terms matters: Organizations that align their DE&I definitions and metrics with their unique culture and goals are better positioned to sustain efforts amid external challenges.
This session offered timely, research-based insight into how top-performing companies are navigating a turbulent moment for DE&I — not by retreating, but by recalibrating with purpose.
More from i4cp:
- Read the recent article by i4cp’s Lorrie Lykins: Top Organizations Making DE&I Decisions Based on Data—Not Pressure.
- Be sure to register for upcoming Next Practices Weekly sessions and join our global community of HR leaders driving innovation and excellence.
- Are you an i4cp member? Access the Navigating DE&I in 2025 collection for additional member-exclusive resources.
