At RSM, we believe inclusion starts with “I.” This means each professional at RSM is committed to doing their part to advance inclusion across the firm and within our communities. To support our activities, we are sharing our internal resources for the benefit of our clients and others who want to drive meaningful change and create a more inclusive future.
Inclusion starts with “I.”
Allyship
Allyship is important to building an inclusive environment. Organizations have an opportunity to take action by investing in and engaging allies. Allyship is mutually beneficial. People who have allies benefit from someone who is committed to supporting them, and people who serve as allies benefit from more frequent and effective conversations with others. This has important social, institutional and organizational impacts.
Courageous conversations
Courageous conversations form the basis for deeper understanding. They challenge us to push ourselves beyond what is comfortable and hear a variety of perspectives to encourage empathy and inclusiveness.
To hold a courageous conversation, it is important to abide by certain ground rules and principles:
Ground rules
- Assume positive intent
- Consider your voice important in educating others on our journey to inclusion
- Extend empathy and suspend your reaction to the shared views and comments of others
- Be open to understanding
- If a perspective differs from yours, lean in, ask questions and seek common ground
- Give leaders feedback that will help individuals, teams and the firm grow
Four agreements of a courageous conversation
- Stay engaged: Staying engaged means “remaining morally, emotionally, intellectually, and socially involved in the dialogue.”
- Experience discomfort: Discomfort is inevitable, especially, in dialogue about race. Participants make a commitment to bring issues into the open. Talking about these issues does not create divisiveness. Through dialogue, even when uncomfortable, the healing and change can begin.
- Speak your truth: This means being open about thoughts and feelings and not just saying what you think others want to hear.
- Expect and accept no closure: This agreement asks participants to “hang out in uncertainty” and not rush to quick solutions, especially in relation to racial understanding, which requires ongoing action and consideration.
Culture of inclusion
Being an equitable and inclusive firm where diverse talent excels is a critical part of RSM’s culture—it’s one of the things that sets us apart.
Thousands of personalities make up RSM. Our inclusive workplace celebrates the differences among our talented people, while enabling their success at work and in their personal lives.
Stewardship: Acting Responsibly
We strive to be the middle market leader in sustainable business practices that drive positive futures for our clients, colleagues, communities and firm.
