The Checklist Culture

Jeremy Durand
Oct 25
1 min read

Summary:

A healthcare organization launched a DEI committee, brought in diverse speakers, and added a land acknowledgment to every meeting — but did not change hiring practices, budget allocations, or policies that excluded Indigenous and Black staff from leadership. Staff described it as “DEI theatre” — all optics, no substance.

Ethical Lens:

The illusion of progress through performative acts
Checklist culture vs. systemic change
Psychological harm of symbolic inclusion

Leadership Insight:

Doing the work of equity means changing who holds power — not just who reads the land acknowledgment.

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Leadership Insight:

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