Episode 005: How to Hire a DEI Consultant

My best guidance is to find a consultant partner whose perspective and expertise align with your organization’s desired outcomes. It is not uncommon for organizations looking for a consultant partner to be unclear about what they need. Generally, there is a pain point or an immediate problem that leaders want to resolve. For example, it’s been my experience that those responsible for hiring consultants don't know we have different skillsets. That one little piece of information is critical to avoiding creating a partnership that doesn't align with where the organization is or wants to go in its journey. I hope this episode helps steer you to the right racial equity partner. 

Here is a glance at this episode: 

[6:16] Know our distinctions. Understand the distinctions between consultants because we don't all do the same thing.

[12:52] Do your research. There are a lot of us who are doing really great work, but there are also many consultants who are very new to organizational approaches around race. It's vital that you know a consultant's areas of expertise and understands what you're getting.

[17:13] Ask for post-engagement follow-up. Most organizations need some kind of post-engagement support. Be clear about those expectations up front and what kind of time you think you'll need, and what you want to use it for.

[20:01] Be open with your staff. I always encourage my prospective clients to be open with their staff about why they want to hire a consultant and what they hope to gain from it.

I want to leave my DEI leads with an encouragement to take your time to find the right partner. There are so many of us out here doing great work, there is somebody who can help you move your organization forward. There's no question about that.

Resources mentioned (or consulted) in this episode: 
 

TOOL: Questions to Ask When Hiring a Racial Equity Consultant (You will be prompted to enter your email address.)

Hiring a DEI Consultant? Here’s How to Avoid Exacerbating Inequity in the Process

Outsider Efficacy Bias: What it is and how it affects our work

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About Your Host

Dr. Joanna Shoffner Scott is an organizational development consultant who helps leaders of nonprofits, philanthropies, and businesses create workplaces that work for everyone.