Is Your Workplace Really Looking Out for You?
Let's be real—this is a strange time to be a working professional. DEI programs are quietly (and loudly) disappearing, political shifts are stirring workplace tensions, and it feels like we've hit backspace on decades worth of progress.
If you're like me, you're wondering what all this means for your career and how to stay grounded when things feel unpredictable.
Here's the thing: most of us can't control what happens at the top, but we absolutely can control how we navigate the spaces we're in.
Your 3-Step Advocacy Framework
"You can't control what happens at the top, but you can control how you navigate the spaces you're in."
Step 1: Pay Attention to the Signs
In times like these, it's important to be honest about your company's stance. Are they still invested in equity? Are leadership and HR teams walking the talk, or are they conveniently sidestepping the hard conversations?
The signals are everywhere—pay cuts to DEI budgets, fewer conversations around inclusion, or just an unspoken shift in energy.
Company Equity Assessment: What to Look For
Budget allocations: Are DEI programs still funded, or have budgets been quietly reduced?
Leadership conversations: Are executives still having public discussions about equity and inclusion?
Diverse hiring: Are diverse candidates still being actively recruited and retained?
ERG support: Are Employee Resource Groups still receiving resources and executive sponsorship?
Promotion equity: Are Black women and other underrepresented groups still advancing at similar rates?
Language shifts: Has the company gone silent on topics they used to address openly?
Important Note: Some companies may be "laying low" to avoid public scrutiny while continuing DEI efforts internally. Don't assume silence means abandonment—but do pay attention to actions over words.
Knowing where your company stands helps you make informed decisions. It doesn't mean you have to jump ship tomorrow, but it allows you to recalibrate.
Ask Yourself
- Are you in a space where you can grow?
- Are you seeing opportunities that align with your career goals?
- Or is it time to start looking at your options elsewhere?
Information is power. Knowing where your company stands allows you to assess and recalibrate your situation.
Based on the checklist above, how many boxes can you honestly check for your current workplace? What patterns are you seeing?
Share BelowStep 2: Focus on What You Can Control
When the world feels out of control, it's easy to feel powerless. But here's the truth: you hold more power than you think.
This is the moment to focus on the things you can control—your career goals, your professional development, and how you show up. How can you use where you are now for your future aspirations?
Questions to Ground Yourself
- What workplace skills do you want to sharpen?
- What strengths are you leaning into right now?
- What's one thing you can work on today to bring you closer to where you want to be?
The big wins may take time, but the small, intentional steps you take every day build momentum. Protect your peace, prioritize your energy, and focus on the things you can do today to create the next move and a career path that feels right for you.
Reframe: Instead of "I'm stuck in this uncertain situation," try "I'm strategically positioning myself for what's next."
Step 3: Build Your Village—Your Career's Safety Net
Your network truly is your net worth, and your community becomes everything. Having people who genuinely support your growth can shift your career experience entirely.
Your Board of Directors: Who You Need in Your Corner
These are the folks who've been through it and can offer insight, advice, and perspective. They help you spot pitfalls before you step in them.
Your people at the same level who keep you grounded, celebrate your wins, and help you problem-solve when things get tough.
The ones who believe in you so much they'll say your name in rooms you haven't even entered yet. They champion your work and open doors.
Your village isn't just about career moves—it's about emotional support and encouragement. Having a solid network means you're never facing these challenges alone.
Who's currently on your board of directors? Where are the gaps? Who's one person you could reach out to this week to strengthen your network?
Drop Your PlanThe Bigger Picture: Thriving in Uncertainty
The workplace might feel uncertain right now, but here's what I want you to remember: you've weathered tough seasons before, and you'll do it again.
By staying informed, leaning into your network, and focusing on what you can control, you're not just surviving—you're thriving and being intentional.
This isn't about waiting for the company to fix itself. It's about knowing your worth, playing the game strategically, and making moves that serve your growth.
Final Truth: The future may feel unclear, but you've got everything you need to navigate it with confidence. The road ahead isn't just about what's happening around you—it's about what's happening within you.
Keep building, keep growing, and remember: you've got this.
What's one action you'll take this week to either assess your workplace, develop your skills, or strengthen your network?
Commit Below
Love this post! Two more things I would add (from the POV of a Communications leader):
1) Remember that if you are hiring that YOU control things like diverse slates and diverse evaluation panels, regardless of if they are currently mandated or not. Do the right thing and ask the right questions of your peers on an individual level.
2) There’s a chance that your company may get quiet about DEI initiatives while still doing them. Don’t assume that just because your company isn’t making public statements of support that they aren’t in support – they may be laying low to avoid the spotlight because they don’t want to risk call-outs publicly that could trigger them to dampen the efforts. Actions > Words
Your number 2 is correct. My company have not said anything publicly and barely saying anything internal either. We have no idea what the stance is but told there is no change. So I guess stay out of the public eye on this one. But it’s good to not assume.