ERGs: bond with care and bridge with purpose
ERGs: bond with care and bridge with purpose
Here are two ideas from my book, Reconstructing Inclusion: Making DEI Accessible, Actionable, and Sustainable and other texts I leaned on in writing it. In addition, I’ve included one quote, a book recommendation, and a video or article that has inspired or influenced me and hopefully will resonate with you, too. (That’s ✌🏿+ 💡📚➕).
Page 210
"Bonding social capital consists of the social connections within groups where members are similar in demographics, attitudes, beliefs, and information resources.
While I hold the view that social capital is a neutral form of capital, when enacted, it can provide advantages to one group at the expense of others. In organizations, depending on their size and geographical distribution (time zone proximity; physical distance; and, in larger firms, location of work and meeting spaces), there are varying degrees of bonding. While there is the likelihood of bonding due to being a part of the same organizational umbrella, bonding ties also happen in more discrete parts of the organization such as within disciplines or teams; along the stratification of alumni, corporate, or local affiliations; or even along the lines of hobbies and other common personal interests.
These various mechanisms of bonding social capital aren’t objectively good or bad. But when the affinities lead to unfair advantages for exclusive groups of people, inequities are inevitable.
For the most part, people don’t have an intention to create anything that might exclude or occlude, but the nature of these bonds can make those pitfalls possible. Putnam has suggested that bonding social capital is helpful for “getting by.” That is, in a relatively closed network, the inward-looking relationships formed allow one to navigate these spaces more effectively. The more stratification of bonded networks inside of an organization, the more possibility for bias and exclusion there is."
Page 213
"Bridging social capital is a type of social capital characterized by connections across differences that are often divided, such as status, class, caste, race, or religion. It allows groups to share and exchange information across difference, foster ideas and innovation, and build common context where their difference might otherwise have been inhibiting. The “weak ties” of overlapping networks can provide accessibility to resources and opportunities that exist in one network to members of another.
While I’ve never questioned the value of ERGs, I have had my doubts about whether they are fulfilling all their potential. While multinational companies are in the midst of a global dialogue about racism and white supremacy, there is no doubt that having a safe space to share stories of the personal impact is critical.
Simultaneously, if these stories remain inside of bonded groups, without outward actions toward the transformation of the current state, there is a risk that any potential for transformation will be lost to anchoring on the pain of what is and what has been. In building the solidarity needed to shift the horrific remnants of the dehumanization of any oppressed group, building metaphorical and relational bridges is necessary. Creating bridging and diverse social capital closes structural holes in organizational life. Bridging social capital brings people together, allowing them (without diminishing differences) to create possibilities for inquiry, innovation, ideation, and insights in ways that only a more distant view, enabled by trust and fresh perspectives, can provide.
My recommendation for ERGs (extending to the organizations where they exist) is to bond with care and bridge with purpose."
💡A Quote
“Human reality everywhere encounters resistance and obstacles which it has not created, but these resistances and obstacles have meaning only in and through the free choice which human reality is.”
― Jean-Paul Sartre
📚A Book
Photo Credit: Amazon.com
The Upswing: How American Came Together a Century Ago and How WE Can do it Again by Robert Putnam
➕An Article
Why your ‘weak-tie’ friendships may mean more than you think | By Ian Leslie, BBC
I hope this was helpful. . . Make it a great day! ✌🏿
In this episode of the ‘Reconstructing Inclusion’ podcast, I am joined by three key members of the Diversity Atlas team. Gain insights into how inclusive data sets and nuanced categorizations enable a richer understanding of cultural nuances and support strategic decision-making in your DEI efforts.