Sthir Stories
Transforming DEI Conversations Through Innovation: A Game-Based Approach
Summary:
Faced with the challenge of introducing DEI without triggering defensiveness, the organization partnered with Sthir to design an engaging, game show–based intervention that encouraged curiosity and inclusion through participation.
The innovative approach successfully broke the ice on DEI, fostered open dialogue, and energized employees to embrace ongoing diversity initiatives with enthusiasm and respect.
Industry
Energy
Client
Client Name Withheld
Date
2024
Case Study
Challenge:
A leading organization sought to kick off its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative but faced a critical challenge: how to introduce DEI without making employees feel that they were being instructed and/or subtly called out for not being sensitive enough. The organization has a diverse workforce spread across various regions of India, and the management were aware that deep-seated biases existed around language, regional identities, and cultural differences. Given their commitment to getting the understanding of DEI right, they were wary of traditional approaches like town halls, workshops, or leadership addresses, which might not have the desired impact or engagement. Besides, a misstep in this sensitive area could easily derail the initiative before it even began.
The Sthir Approach
Innovative Initiative Design:
At Sthir, we believe in creating high-impact, experiential solutions. Recognizing the need for an engaging, non-threatening, and inclusive approach, we designed a game show—a dynamic, organization-wide event that would introduce DEI conversations in an enjoyable and participatory manner.
Key elements of
our approach included:
- A 2-hour, high-energy online game show that ensured participation from employees across all levels and regions.
- A skilled master of ceremonies (MC) who was both an expert in DEI and an engaging host, ensuring a lively and constructive dialogue.
- Content on organizational culture designed by research scholars from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, specialists in cultural studies and qualitative research.
- A focus on enthusiasm, openness, and engagement instead of testing employees on their DEI knowledge. The game was structured to reward curiosity, active participation, and the willingness to listen to perspectives different from one's own.
- A leadership spotlight where one individual emerged as the winner—not based on knowledge but on their ability to engage, collaborate, and reflect on diverse viewpoints.
The Result
Outcome & Impact:
The game show was a resounding success, achieving several key objectives:
- Breaking the ice on DEI: It set the stage for deeper DEI conversations by making the topic approachable and engaging.
- Encouraging open-minded participation: Employees were exposed to diverse viewpoints in a non-judgmental setting, fostering curiosity and mutual respect.
- Paving the way for sustained DEI efforts: With an energized and receptive workforce, the organization was now well-positioned to introduce more structured DEI interventions without the concern about resistance.
- Enhancing organizational culture: The initiative reinforced the idea that DEI is about learning and growing together, rather than imposing change from the top down.
By moving beyond conventional DEI strategies and leveraging game-based learning and engagement, Sthir delivered an innovative and high-impact intervention that kickstarted the organization’s DEI journey and also ensured that it was built on a foundation of enthusiasm, inclusion, and collective participation.
