Nelson Parrish and Molly Mead had the opportunity to talk with Susie Fagan for B The Change, the B Corp website that shares stories of people using business as a force for good.
Here is an excerpt of the article:
As one of the first companies to gain B Corp Certification in 2007, Praxis Consulting Group aspires to model the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its work with clients. The Pennsylvania-based B Corp works with employee-owned, not-for-profit, and other socially responsible organizations to develop workplaces that benefit all stakeholders. This includes a consultation to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within organizations.
Senior Consultant Nelson Parrish says he and other employee-owners at Praxis demonstrate B Corp values in their work with clients. “Employee ownership and being a B Corp are connected. People are going to be engaged at different levels,” he says. “I care about the people I’m working with, the people I’m working for, and our impact on the greater community.”
They also model these values by being authentic, Parrish says. “We’ve tried to hold the mirror up to ourselves in some ways. We’ve found we are less than perfect and remain less than perfect. We often struggle with the same challenges our clients struggle with.”
Senior Consultant Molly Mead says her current work includes consulting with a couple organizations that are beginning their DEI learning and establishing a foundation for progress.
“Some people in the organization know a ton, and others know very little,” she says. “We try to create a level playing field of knowledge. Then we typically help that organization create DEI goals and think about actions they’ll take to accomplish those goals.”
By meeting organizations where they are when they begin DEI work, Parrish says, Praxis establishes a level of understanding for conversations among colleagues with varied backgrounds and perspectives. “People are in debate or conversation, and they’re not having the same conversation,” he says. “By sharing some baseline learning, they can have some language with which to move forward.”
Praxis consultants emphasize that the work requires commitment, leadership, and time — and is a journey rather than a destination.
“It’s not a solution set that says, ‘Do these three things, and you’ll be OK.’ If you do it successfully, it may cause temporary disruption,” Parrish says. “DEI learning is not a singular event. It is a process, and learning will become cumulative.”
While their work varies with each client, Mead and Parrish say it typically evolves as they adjust goals and timelines, especially for larger companies. But one constant is the need to involve all employees in this work.
“It can’t be a management secret,” Parrish says. “There’s no such thing as doing it once and you’re clear. You want it to penetrate your organization and build engagement among people to make it a better place for everyone.”
For companies looking to start or expand their JEDI practices, Mead says it’s helpful to begin by recognizing how much there is to learn.
“You’re never going to know it all,” she says. “Practice self-forgiveness, and be prepared for astonishment. There are worlds out there that you don’t see and don’t experience, yet they are all around you all the time.”
Curiosity also can serve as a helpful guide on a journey that can create feelings of guilt or remorse, Mead says. “As you explore this learning, there will be times you will feel uncomfortable,” she says, and by talking and learning it’s possible to learn from this discomfort.
