Results
Known for our creativity and flexibility, our principals have led successful change and developed groundbreaking solutions to help executives and advance diversity and inclusion and boost the bottom line
Case Studies
ENSURING DIVERSE TALENT IN LEADERSHIP ACROSS A RANGE OF SECTORS AND INDUSTRIES
NIKE
Working IDEAL advised Nike on the development and implementation of a diverse slate policy for external hires and internally competitive positions, with the goal of increasing representation of people of color in U.S. based leadership roles and of women in leadership globally. Working IDEAL applied its own experience with the “Rooney Rule” diverse slate policies and the importance of effective implementation, ongoing support, and accountability for success. We recommended a strategic measurement framework and identified the key measures needed for quarterly reporting, data sources and calculations, considering not just outcomes, but also inputs and measures of consistency, quality and engagement in carrying out the policy. Nike’s commitment to excellence coupled with the focus on implementation – and continual evaluation, testing, and improvement on both – led to substantial increases in the representation of women and people of color in the leadership positions targeted by the 2018 work, compared with the 2017 baseline.
ROONEY RULE
NFL
Cyrus has had a unique role advising the National Football League for almost two decades on equity and inclusion, leading to a 400% increase in the head coach minority hiring rate — and making the “Rooney Rule” a best practice in organizations around the country. Since Cyrus started this work, ten Superbowl teams have been led by a minority head coach or general manager, and there are now record numbers of minority coaches in the pipeline and an increased emphasis on cultural change. In 2022 when the league faced questions about the Rule’s effectiveness, Cyrus identified key implementation factors that need to be in place.
COCA COLA
Cyrus and Pam’s landmark 2001 settlement with the Coca-Cola Company led to innovative reforms to remove barriers and increase opportunities in pay and promotion for Black employees, including the original diverse slate policy that was the foundation for the Rooney Rule, using DEI as a business performance measure for leadership, and establishing accountable reporting and oversight through the Diversity Task Force. Network member Rene Redwood was one of the seven members of that court-appointed Coca-Cola Diversity Task Force, and she spent five years partnering with the company to review and improve practices and culture. During this time, Black representation in Executive positions in the U.S. increased tenfold — from 1.5% in 1998 when the case began, to 15% in 2010, four years after the Task Force completed its work.
PROMOTING FAIR PAY THAT ALIGNS WITH VALUES OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION
We help organizations wanting to make sure their pay practices align with their values, including increasing transparency and ensuring racial and gender equity. We look at data but also policy, practice and culture, and provide recommendations for more fair, efficient and consistent compensation programs.
Leading Nonprofits and Progressive Employers
One of the signature services Working IDEAL provides is ensuring fair pay and Pam has conducted pay equity analyses for public, private and nonprofit organizations. Since the summer of 2020, and particularly in light of the impact of the pandemic on workers, progressive organizations have sought to raise pay and also ensure their compensation programs align with values of equity and transparency. Over the last 18 months we have completed new compensation policies and structures for a number of national nonprofits, assessing race and gender equity, employee perceptions and experiences, workplace culture and market analysis.
Reel Equity
SAFE AND TRUSTED HARASSMENT PREVENTION
From developing safe and trusted reporting practices to building respectful culture to investigating serious harassment and misconduct, we apply our experience from a worker perspective to promote safety, inclusion and equity.
In our assessment, facilitation and training work we coach leaders through the challenges of strengthening DEI in their organizations. This work often requires thinking through challenges, impacts and opportunities related to workplace culture and practices, trust and relationships, and change management frameworks. We help leaders set norms and align with values – and solve practical problems ranging from employee engagement to workplace behavior to effective communication.
STRENGTHENING DEI IN THE TECH INDUSTRY
Working IDEAL has worked with a number of tech industry and other start-up clients, leveraging equity and inclusion to increase innovation and build the infrastructure needed to establish strong people and culture programs.
ATLASSIAN
Working IDEAL recently partnered with Atlassian to provide resources and ideas to improve experiences for Atlassians from underrepresented
SUPPORTING DEI GOALS FOR SMALL BUSINESS
We work with employers of all sizes, and frequently conduct evaluations and assessments of workplace culture and climate, equity and inclusion. Because our work is customized and includes significant qualitative elements, it can be an effective tool for smaller businesses.
Linea Solutions
FOUNDATIONS AND EQUITY IN GRANTMAKING
Democracy Fund
In 2020, Working IDEAL initiated an analysis of grantee DEI capacity and needs for Democracy Fund, a foundation working to defend American democracy and challenge it to be more open and just. We designed a survey to better understand Board, leadership, and staff representation, and what grantees would need to strengthen racial and all forms of equity in their organizations. In 2021, we shared findings with grantees and developed a toolkit of resources on best practices.
CAMPUS CULTURE AND CLIMATE
John Jay
In 2020, Working IDEAL initiated an analysis of grantee DEI capacity and needs for Democracy Fund, a foundation working to defend American democracy and challenge it to be more open and just. We designed a survey to better understand Board, leadership, and staff representation, and what grantees would need to strengthen racial and all forms of equity in their organizations. In 2021, we shared findings with grantees and developed a toolkit of resources on best practices.
EQUITY FOR POLITICAL WORKPLACES
Campaigns are workplaces too, and we help candidates build positive culture among staff and volunteers, from field offices to Slack channels so you can win with integrity. These lessons can help other start-ups who want to move fast in building new operations without compromising values.
Bernie Sanders 2020
In 2019, the Bernie Sanders 2020 Presidential campaign engaged Working IDEAL to facilitate a dialogue with 2016 staff around lessons learned about safety, equity and inclusion in campaign workspaces. That work led to the creation of a #CampaignEquity Blueprint of best practices to align campaign culture and workplace practices with the candidate’s values.