How to Sustain DEI When No One Wants to (or Can) Talk About It
- Tenea Watson Nelson, PhD
- May 15
- 4 min read
What the DEI Landscape Looks Like Now
We’re in a new chapter. Where once there were headlines about new Chief Diversity Officer leadership roles and equity pledges, we now see:
Public silence on equity values, with organizations scrubbing statements to “stay out of politics”
Loud announcements that DEI programs are being scaled back or dissolved altogether
Internal restructuring of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) under neutral, de-identified banners
Reassurances to employees that “nothing has changed,” even as identity-based programs quietly vanish
While disheartening, this moment reveals something crucial. What was once performative has fallen away. What remains is the truth of an organization’s values, and if it can evolve them into something more durable.
What People Are Already Asking...Quietly
Even when public statements stop, the questions don’t. Inside organizations, people are still wondering:
Are we going to get in trouble for saying the wrong thing - or for saying anything at all?
Is this work helping or distracting from our mission?
Can we still support those with different life experiences?
Have we abandoned this work, or are we just doing it differently?
These questions aren’t always about resistance (although that's okay). They also reflect confusion, uncertainty, and a need for direction.
Watson Nelson Consulting helps bring clarity to moments like this. We support organizations in aligning their commitments, refining their messages, and strengthening the systems behind them.
“We help organizations clarify their commitments, calibrate their messaging, and sustain meaningful work without losing direction or purpose.”
The False Choice That Slows Progress
Many organizations feel boxed in. On one side, saying too much may lead to backlash. On the other, saying too little feels like retreat.
But there is another option.
You can stay aligned with your values and move forward with thoughtful action. This isn’t about avoiding discomfort. It’s about focusing on what actually works, what holds up under pressure, and what reflects who you are over time.
What Sustainable Inclusion Really Means
This is a shift towards inclusion as a a long-term strength.
Sustainable inclusion shows up in how people work together, how decisions are made, and how systems are built. It relies on structure, support, and staying power.
When done well, this work:
Aligns with current legal guidance
Reflects the actual needs and experiences of your people
Stays flexible while staying true to what matters
If your values haven’t changed but your external environment has, you still have a path forward.
“This isn’t just about visibility. It’s about building something that can last.”
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes
Across industries, quiet changes are taking place:
Key performance metrics are removed from dashboards without discussion
Specialized roles are reassigned or absorbed into broader teams
Strategy councils or advisory groups are paused indefinitely
These moves often happen without explanation. Without a clear plan to maintain momentum, the result is a loss of trust and clarity.
If you’re changing direction, say so. And if you’re not, back it up with visible structure.
Tools for Building a Resilient Strategy
At Watson Nelson Consulting, we work with organizations that want to move with purpose, not panic. We help leaders refocus their efforts and build durable systems.
Some of the key services we offer include:
Language Architecture Reviews
Helping organizations refine communication to match both internal culture and external realities
Workplace Systems Mapping
Identifying the policies and practices that shape outcomes across teams and departments
Strategic Repositioning Plans
Reframing the work so it remains focused, grounded, and connected to the business
Risk-Calibrated Strategy Models
Supporting leadership teams in maintaining momentum while minimizing exposure
These tools are built for real challenges and real change.
Why Watson Nelson Consulting?
We have always been committed to building long-lasting systems, not temporary campaigns. We support organizations that want to lead with intention and act with confidence.
Our approach is informed by decades of DEI work across healthcare, science, innovation, and education sectors. We bring:
Practical, non-punitive solutions (although we will be real with you)
Operational and cultural insight
Calm, credible leadership for complex environments
A strong understanding of how values and systems connect
“We help our clients stop chasing optics and start building systems that reflect who they are...clearly, consistently, and without apology.”
What Leaders Need to Hear Right Now
You don’t have to say everything out loud to show where you stand. But if you can speak boldly and clearly, do it! Speak for those who can’t. That, too, is leadership. And if your role or setting makes that harder, remember this: what you build still communicates your direction.
Strong organizations are not stepping back. They are getting sharper and more strategic. This isn’t always about speaking louder. It’s about making smarter choices that hold up, even when no one is watching.
Here are a few ways to express that shift:
Suggested blog or social post title:
“This Work Isn’t Gone...It’s Getting Smarter.”
Slide or one-pager tagline:
“Not louder. But stronger.”
Call to action for leaders:
“If you can speak, speak. Regardless, build something that does.”
Let’s Build the Future - Sustainably
There is still a path forward. You don’t need to retreat. You need to adapt.
Watson Nelson Consulting helps organizations continue their work with confidence and clarity. Strength doesn’t always come from saying more. It comes from designing well and delivering on what matters.
📩 Let’s talk about how your organization can move forward without letting go.
About the Author
Tenea Watson Nelson, PhD is the founder of Watson Nelson Consulting. With decades of DEI experience in healthcare, science, innovation, and education, she helps organizations build systems that are responsive, grounded, and aligned with their mission.
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