We can witness this principle in action through the way nature forms diamond and coal. Both are created from the same element: carbon. In an environment of high heat and pressure, carbon transforms to a diamond, the hardest substance on earth.

Carbons that do not live in the same environment become coal. The metaphorical organizational environment of high heat and high pressure is nature’s perfect design to get the result of a highly valued diamond.

Similarly, when leaders intentionally design and orient their organizations properly, the result will be that people will become diamonds and reach their full potential. These same organizations will mutually gain a sustainable competitive advantage over their rivals.

George Floyd’s death crystalized, for many, the reality that most minority groups often experience. This realization is supported by an ABC News poll that found 74% of people saw his death as an “underlying racial injustice problem.”

Now the world, including the larger business community, is working to find a solution, but as we’ve learned, this is an organization design problem. The world, however, is quick to put the blame on people and/or groups by pointing the finger at the left or the right and completely missing the mark.

Our approach to tackling this issue is consistent with the challenge set forth by Qualtrics founder and CEO Ryan Smith when he said, “Entrepreneurs are going to do amazing things if you get out of the way and give them a runway.”

This simple yet profound idea captures the heart of our vision for the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee.

Our aim is to design a world-class, beautiful, safe and long runway that enables businesses to innovate and find innovative solutions to all things DEIB. We will accomplish this by engineering workable systems, tools and mechanisms that empower people to do their best work. We will also establish ways in which new innovations are shared with other organizations in order to accelerate the velocity by which our business community learns and improves.

Throughout 2023, the chamber’s DEIB Committee will continue to share more details of our plan and how things are going. One item I wish to share regarding our work thus far is our Statement of DEIB.

Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

“Businesses can be a powerful platform for social engagement and change. The Utah Valley Chamber celebrates diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and believes that diversity drives innovation.

“We encourage businesses to grow their network of people, programs and tools — all designed to help employees grow and manage their careers.

“Embedding diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging approaches within the organizations and the communities we serve fosters a workplace where employees are comfortable and safe and can bring their authentic whole selves to work. We believe it is a corporate imperative to foster a work environment where individuals and teams can thrive.

“We condemn verbal or written symbols, gestures, overtones in language, policies, behaviors or practices that create an environment of discrimination or prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person or group compared with another or recognizes privilege based on gender, class, race, religion or sexual identity, etc.

“We call upon businesses to adopt guiding principles that create workplaces which reflect the communities we serve and where everyone is welcome.”

As the chamber’s DEIB Committee, we look forward to helping Utah Valley’s people and organizations mutually strive to achieve greatness.

Hema Heimuli is Head of People & Organizational Development at US Synthetic.