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The Future of DEIB: What's the "Matter"?


The evolution of DEIB and why Mattering is your next personal and professional priority.

Over the past few years, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) landscape has undergone significant transformations. What began as a focus on workplace diversity has evolved to create environments where everyone can feel seen, heard, and valued. 


The Spectrum of DEIB:

Diversity (representation of different groups) → Equity (fair treatment, access, and opportunities) → Inclusion (creating environments where all individuals feel valued) → Belonging (ensuring everyone feels part of the community)


While each of these components is essential, there is a noticeable gap in this framework. As leaders, we must go beyond belonging to address a more profound psychological need: feeling like we all matter.


Why Mattering Matters

Mattering is a deeply personal experience rooted in the belief that we are seen, respected, and valued for who we are, not just for what we can do or which demographic box we tick off. Mattering is the sense that we are important to others and that our presence and contributions make a difference. This concept extends beyond the workplace; it influences how we see ourselves in our personal lives, our communities, and our relationships and is made up of two core components:


  • Feeling Valued: Recognizing and appreciating individual contributions. Feeling like you add value to others and others add value to you.

  • Feeling Significant: Understanding that your presence and input are important.


Mattering is the Anchor of Self-Worth

It goes without saying that when you feel like you matter, your self-esteem and mental health get a boost. People who feel they matter tend to experience lower levels of stress and anxiety and higher levels of happiness and satisfaction. Mattering helps prevent anxiety, depression, and distress. 


And when you feel good, you do good.


Mattering fosters deeper connections between individuals, leading to stronger relationships through mutual recognition of significance. People are more engaged when they feel like they matter. They are more inclined to take initiative, actively listen, and show a genuine interest in others.


Mattering Creates a Foundation for Employee Engagement

When people feel valued, they are more motivated to do their best work. This leads to higher productivity and creativity and increased job satisfaction and retention. When Mattering is prioritized, it creates a culture of respect, appreciation, and support. This, in turn, attracts like-minded individuals who contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment. Teams become stronger because they recognize the importance of collaboration and are willing to support others because they feel supported themselves. 


Making Mattering Your Priority

To make Mattering a priority in your life and work, start by reflecting on how you can show others that they matter. Practice effective leadership that values and uplifts every team member. Small actions, such as recognizing achievements, offering genuine praise, and taking the time to listen, can make a significant impact. Organizations can embed mattering into their culture by training leaders to recognize and foster it, creating systems that acknowledge contributions, and ensuring that everyone feels valued for who they are.

Recognizing when someone feels like they matter is an art and a science. It requires attunement to the subtle cues and signals individuals give when they feel valued because they trust their voice will be heard. 


Here are some key indicators that a person feels like they matter:

  • They display a greater sense of self-confidence. 

  • They speak up in meetings.

  • They challenge the status quo. 

  • They take creative risks.


The evolution of DEIB has brought us to an important realization: Mattering is the missing piece that completes the puzzle. Making Mattering your next personal and professional priority helps ensure that the people you interact with feel valued, respected, and empowered to make a difference. 


I believe that Mattering is such an important issue that, from this point on, I’m going to dedicate the first newsletter of each month to it. Together, we’ll explore a more specific aspect of Mattering and how you can incorporate it into every part of your life.

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