Intention to Impact: How to Lead in a Multicultural Economy

Intention to Impact is an experiential new field course created by Malia Lazu and based on her research at MIT Sloan. This first-of-its-kind course for MIT Sloan Executive Education takes leaders into the field to experience—and challenge the thinking around—diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) work. 

Many business leaders think DEIB is charity and fail to see that there is a strong business case behind this work. The reality is that growing businesses in our economy are diverse, and studies by McKinsey and others show that diverse teams are significantly more profitable and more likely to enter a market successfully. Companies that focus their sights solely on the technology of the future, for example, risk overlooking the diverse talent that companies need to recruit, hire, retain, and develop to gain a competitive edge in a rapidly changing global economy.

Intention to Impact makes a case for the inclusion economy, particularly as businesses look to future-proof themselves within a highly competitive landscape. This course covers the vital importance of hiring the right mix of people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, and how proactive DEIB will show up in the top line of revenue growth and on the bottom line of profitability. You will leave this course with:

• Examples of where and how DEIB intersects and enhances talent and operational strategies
• A better understanding of how implicit bias plays out in teams, organizations, and multi-stakeholder ecosystems
• Tools for recognizing and transforming your own bias so you can more confidently lead with personal authenticity and power

You will leave this course with:

• Increased confidence in leading DEIB work authentically. 
• A personal commitment statement as a foundation for leadership, especially when DEI becomes difficult and challenges the status quo
• Best practices to move beyond the bias within companies and organizations
• A connection to an informal community of practice
• Proven tools and frameworks for growing understanding around DEIB perspectives, benefits, and practices and for implementing those practices in your company 

Upon successful completion of your course, you will earn a certificate of completion from the MIT Sloan School of Management. This course may also count toward MIT Sloan Executive Certificate requirements.

This field course is a practicum in why DEIB is smart business and what DEIB work looks and feels like. It combines interactive case study analysis, personal skills practice, and real-world learning experiences to explore how leading inclusively can support system-level change. You will hear from people in the community and get real-world, on-the-ground perspectives from people actively engaged in DEIB initiatives with companies. You will be encouraged to tell your own stories—for example, an incident when you were personally challenged to lead in a more inclusive way or when you noticed or experienced a lack of inclusivity in the way your team or organization was led. This combination of in-class learning, discussions, and excursions into the field will give you both context and skills for championing effective DEIB program. As a participant in this course, you will:

• Experience what authentic diversity looks like for business
• Immerse yourself in real life experiences with diverse leaders 
• Engage in intimate conversations with diverse business advocacy groups
• Observe power and understand what kind of business leader you are.

Intention to Impact is ideal for business leaders, founders, managers, HR professionals, and anyone who is committed to integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) into their organizational strategies. It is designed for those who recognize the strong business case behind DEIB and seek to leverage diverse talent to gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global economy. It is also for individuals who may be questioning or skeptical of how DEIB works in the real world.

Participants will benefit most if they are looking to enhance their understanding of implicit biases, develop practical tools for leading inclusively, and drive system-level changes within their organizations. This course is also suitable for those aiming to create more inclusive workplaces by learning from real-world experiences and engaging with diverse business advocacy groups.