To fully understand and appreciate the interconnectedness of culture, diversity, and inclusion, let’s approach them in this order: Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture.
Culture, Diversity & Inclusion
At Walmart, developing an inclusive workplace is a high priority. The mission of our Global Office of Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion (CDI) is to promote an inclusive workplace environment where everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and safe to be themselves. This mission is also yours as a People organization. Being a change leader for culture, diversity, and inclusion in such a large company can be both exciting and intimidating. Fortunately, there are many resources and programs available to help you seamlessly incorporate CDI into your team culture and help you be an advocate, change leader, and example of its value to the business.
But first, what exactly is culture, diversity, and inclusion; and why are they relevant to our Walmart culture? How can you be an inclusive leader?
At the end of this course you will be able to:
- Clearly define culture, diversity, and inclusion.
- Relate diversity and inclusion to our Walmart culture.
- Define the qualities of an inclusive leader.
- Identify CDI programs and resources that will help you embody qualities of inclusive leadership.
- Utilize CDI programs and resources to create a more inclusive workplace environment.
Culture, diversity, and inclusion (CDI) are three words with three unique definitions. However, they are very interconnected; and together, they make a big impact. When associates feel included, they are happier and able to not only perform at their best but also provide better service to our customers and better relationships to their fellow teammates.
Diversity
Looking at this image, you might observe that there are many different kinds of vegetables. You might even notice the same kind of vegetables are grouped together. This image fits the definition of Diversity. Regarding people, it simply means being able to see others with different walks of life, cultures, ethnicities, ideas, backgrounds, genders, ages, abilities, etc.
Inclusion
In this image, you are not so much observing different vegetables. Instead, your mind has processed it as “a salad.” This is Inclusion. Regarding people, that means combining everyone’s unique styles, experiences, identities, ideas, and opinions by including everyone in the discussion, hearing all voices, and ensuring everyone has a seat at the table. It’s not just our responsibility to recruit and hire diverse associates (the individual fruits on the plate), we must create and embrace an inclusive environment for them to thrive and develop. Inclusive leaders create an environment where new ideas, styles, and opinions are valued and leveraged. This inclusive environment makes for better results, leading edge ideas, and forward thinking; and it supports and develops our next generation of leaders.
Culture
Both diversity and inclusion fit right alongside Walmart values. Since Sam Walton opened the first Walmart store in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, we've been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our customers. Our business is the result of Sam Walton's visionary leadership, along with generations of associates focused on helping customers and communities save money and live better. This rich heritage defines who we are and how we operate—innovative thinking, leadership through service, and an unwavering commitment to saving people money. It’s what makes us the business we are today and shapes the company we will be tomorrow.
There are over a million Walmart associates from all corners of the globe. Diversity of markets, customers, ideas, and talent is driving the need for inclusion as a fundamental leadership capability. Being an inclusive leader means being committed, courageous, aware of bias, curious, culturally competent, and collaborative. When you exhibit these traits, you position yourself and the business for success, ensuring we are also doing good for the associates, customers, and communities we serve.
CDI Programs and Resources
Not all associates are aware of the many programs and resources that are available for culture, diversity, and inclusion. These programs and resources will help you become a change leader, advocate, and spokesperson for CDI within your teams. Below is a list of key resources for you to use and share with others.
INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
- To develop inclusive leadership at Walmart, more than 77,000 associates have Inclusive Leadership Expectations as part of their annual performance evaluation. Associates with Inclusive Leadership Expectations must participate in at least one approved Inclusive Leadership Education offering and actively mentor associates.
- For an overview of Inclusive Leadership Expectations click here.
- You can reference the Program Requirement Guides to see which positions have Inclusive Leadership Expectations. To access the Program Requirement Guides click here.
COURSES & INFORMATION
Take your knowledge and expertise of CDI to the next level by participating in an Inclusive Leadership Education course or by looking at some of the course material. For the Inclusive Leadership Course Catalog click here.
- For our full list of Inclusion Insight Session Videos and Discussion Guides click here.
- Understand what unconscious bias is and how to minimize your unconscious bias as a leader. For a presentation on Unconscious Bias, click here. For the Dining in the Dark course, which examines unconscious bias click here.
- Walmart’s culture and values can set us apart and ahead. Our Culture and Values are our competitive advantage and they help us drive performance, particularly in times of change. In the class, Values Based Decision Making-Leading with our Values, you will review how to connect our values to our day-to-day work and incorporate them into the decision-making process. To register for this class, click here.
COMPANY POLICY
As a partner in People, you will want to become familiar with our People Policies. Click here to find our Policies on OneWalmart. We also recommend that you spend time in your first few weeks reviewing the following Policies:
- Discrimination & Harassment Prevention
- Accommodation in Employment
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Open Door Communications
- Time Off
PROGRAMS
- Walmart has a mentoring program called Mentoring Matters, which is a great opportunity for growth, development, and networking across the business both as a mentee and a mentor. For more information, click here.
- There are nine Associate Resource Groups (ARGs) that provide associates with opportunities to develop, build relationships, network, and positively impact their company and community. To learn more about ARGs, click here. To learn more about upcoming ARG events, click here.
- Mi Futuro is a youth mentoring program that reaches across all ARGs. In this program, Walmart and Sam’s associates help motivate and empower at risk students with potential barriers to success. To find out more, click here.
For any questions regarding CDI or available trainings, you may contact CDI Help via email at dvstyHlp@walmart.com
Creating an Inclusive Workplace
With such a wide array of culture, diversity, and inclusion programs and resources at your disposal, how can you leverage them to create a more inclusive workplace? The following are suggested activities. As you explore the programs and resources available and you become more acquainted with culture, diversity, and inclusion, use your imagination to come up with things you can do within your own teams and leadership to create a more inclusive workplace environment. Keep in mind, it is critical that CDI is a part of our Walmart culture. Therefore, conversations on CDI should be seamless and ongoing.
For suggestions on leading an effective group discussion, you can review the Safe Space Resource & Leading Effective Group Discussions guide.
Activities
Watch Party
PURPOSE: Create an environment for continuous and open conversations about culture, diversity, and inclusion.
Directions: Invite other People leaders or members of your team to watch one or a few videos from the Inclusive Leadership’s collection of Inclusive Education Session Videos and CDI 360 Videos. After viewing, take time to discuss the videos using the available discussion guides on the videos page. This activity can be revisited on a regular basis.
CDI Touch Bases
PURPOSE: Create an environment for continuous and open conversations about culture, diversity, and inclusion.
Directions: Review web pages, videos, and other resources on CDI and have an open discussion. Challenge yourself to regularly discuss the following questions in your team meetings and touch bases.
Discussion questions:
- How can we expand our knowledge of CDI on a regular basis?
- Do you feel included? Why or why not?
- What can we do more of, less off, or add to promote CDI?
