Case Study #3
Supporting Evolution
How Equiida enabled a global manufacturer to develop a leadership culture underpinned by inclusion
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CLIENT
A family-owned global manufacturing business with multibillion-euro revenue and over 11,000 employees
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GOAL
To enable the Top 250 leaders to build a culture of inclusion, belonging and psychological safety within the business
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CHALLENGE
To break through traditional leadership practices and regional biases blocking progress
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IMPACT
Leaders equipped with practical tools & techniques to support sustainable change; Accelerated progress across key ESG metrics
Challenge
Our client, a multibillion-euro manufacturer, was 75 years old. The business continued to be family owned across 3 generations of leaders and, it was determined to modernise.
The business had faced progressive challenges which weakened growth and the share price. There was a traditional culture that was difficult to shift leading to a lack of innovation and wavering sense of belonging. These inherent weaknesses were exasperated due to the pandemic. There had already been some organisational transformation, but a deeper cultural shift was still missing.
Sponsors from the top - led by the CEO and CPO - were keen to enable their senior leaders to drive cultural change with inclusion at the heart.
In 2021, Equiida was asked to help drive leadership development and cultural evolution by instilling inclusive leadership practices at the highest levels. Although the client’s initial diversity, equity and inclusion activity – including an Allyship Network and the appointment of regional DEI Leads – was positive; a deeper, more strategic approach was needed.
Senior leaders were required to upgrade their leadership approach and take ownership for building a culture where inclusion, innovation and psychological safety could thrive.
Solution
Bespoke Inclusive Leadership Programme
Equiida designed and delivered a bespoke Inclusive Leadership Programme.
The goal was not just to inspire leaders to champion a culture of inclusion and belonging, but to make them own the challenge. We wanted to forge personal connections and create a clear understanding that every individual is responsible for making positive change happen.
The Inclusive Leadership Programme consisted of a blend of virtual workshops in manageable cohorts to facilitate dialogue, pre- and post-surveys to measure behavioural shift, inclusion nudges and online cheat-sheets to enable participants to practically apply learning in their own teams and business units.
Impact
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Practical Leadership Tools
Leaders and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) allies worked together using the programme principles to create ethical and sustainable change across the different regions.
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Progress on ESG Engagement
The Inclusive Leadership Programme bolstered the progress made across key Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics related to inclusion and culture evolution.