The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance is a think tank dedicated to creating work environments centered on inclusion and innovative thought leadership. The Alliance empowers organizations with the tools necessary for advancing women, fostering flexibility, and retaining top talent.
To learn how we can help your organization, please get in touch.
Action Step – KICKSTART 2025: BUILDING TEAM SUCCESS THROUGH STRATEGIC PLANNING
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
As we begin 2025, energize your team and set the foundation for success through purposeful team retreats. These gatherings, whether in-person or virtual, provide an ideal platform to strengthen team bonds, align priorities, and create shared momentum for the year ahead. Here’s your roadmap for a productive kickoff:
1. Pre-Retreat Engagement: Set the stage for meaningful discussion by gathering team insights before the retreat. Team members often have valuable insights that may not surface in group settings. Pre-retreat questions allow for thoughtful reflection and help identify themes that might otherwise be missed. This step ensures all voices are heard and helps leaders identify common themes and concerns before the retreat, leading to more productive discussions.
Questions to send:
Review responses carefully to identify themes and incorporate insights into your retreat agenda.
2. Choreographed Connection Activity: Begin with an engaging choreographed team connection that deepens team relationships. Choose questions that reveal professional and personal dimensions, such as “Share a favorite holiday tradition” or “What’s one activity outside of work that energizes you?” These conversations build connections and understanding across the team.
Members: Continue reading this Action Step in the Member Resource Center
To read this entire Action Step become a member of the Diversity &
Action Step – INCREASING GENDER PARITY WITH CONSISTENCY & INTENTIONALITY
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
Our 2024 New Partner Report demonstrates concerning results. The 41.6% share of women in the 2024 new partner class represents a nearly 2% decline from last year’s figure of 43.3%. Further, we saw declines across AmLaw 50, 100, and 200 firms, a nearly 3% increase in the gap in the share of new women partners compared to the share of women associates, and a reduction in the new partner class size by an average of 1.3 partners. These data points demonstrate consistency in the reduced share of women in new partner classes across firm sizes, a pipeline challenge at the top, the shrinking of the overall pool of advancement opportunities, and a boomerang effect over the years pointing to the volatility of women promotions.
Firms need to adopt an intentional, structured and data-driven approach to make consistent progress with gender parity at the top.
Action Step – HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS FROM OUR 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility. Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.
The Alliance’s 2024 Annual Conference, Harnessing the Power of Your Organizational Culture, brought together industry leaders and innovators to explore transformative approaches to workplace culture. Through dynamic keynotes, collaborative networking opportunities, and innovative panels, participants gained actionable insights for elevating their organizational and talent strategies. Here are the key themes that emerged:
When organizations maintain clarity on these cultural foundations, they can operate from a position of strength rather than reactivity, make decisions based on cultural alignment, move beyond finding common ground to reaching higher ground, and enable their people to be effective culture carriers. The bottom line remains clear: your culture is your organization’s heartbeat, defined not just by what you say, but by your actions, values, and treatment of people.