A panel of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) leaders in the retail industry took the stage for a panel at the WIR: On the Road | Dallas event last month to discuss what an inclusive, welcoming workplace culture looks like.

Increasingly, people are looking to work for companies that have DEI at the forefront of their values. In the midst of the “Great Resignation,” as employees have more influence over hiring practices, how can we treat DEI as less of a performative act and more of a core tenet and principle that has been part of the company’s values from the beginning?

These three DEI leaders shared their advice for other women who oversee similar initiatives within their retail organizations:

1. Listen and find an advocate.

Elizabeth Ramirez-Washka, vice president of diversity and inclusion at the Boy Scouts of America, noted that at the nonprofit organization, her advocate is the CEO, Roger Mosby. For Ramirez-Washka, listening means she doesn’t have to have the answer for everything, but as long as she’s authentic, she can help her employees.

2. Diversity builds stronger teams.

Marisa Perez, senior vice president of growth acceleration for PepsiCo Foods North America at Frito-Lay, said it’s best to surround yourself with people who have different experiences, opinions and perspectives, because “together, you are stronger.”

“The world we live in today is full of complex problems,” Perez said. “If we all have the same perspective, we’re going to come at these problems with one answer and we’re going to miss the bigger opportunity.”

3. Be considerate of the intersections of diversity.

“Every layer of diversity adds a layer of bias that you may have experienced,” said LaTisha Brandon, senior DEI director at The Container Store. DEI leaders need to let everybody be a part of the conversation, advised Brandon. They also need to focus on controlling what they can control within their sphere of influences. “Everybody owns inclusion, so just own your part,” Brandon said.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can watch the full recording of the panel as well as all session recordings from the 2022 WIR: On the Road events here. Not a member? Apply today.