The case for diversity in business is rock solid—diversity in race, gender, and ethnicity among employees is repeatedly shown to increase company performance. But in the real world, how are businesses achieving the ideal mix of employee diversity? We asked an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member and the 2019 global champion of EO’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) competition to share their experience around diversity.

Starting the conversation.

“I’ve learned that often, people in power will choose a comfortable status quo and risk underperformance rather than be uncomfortable and talk about race. It’s only when we get uncomfortable and truly connect with people who have different life experiences that we personally grow—and our companies grow, too,” says Ryan Buchanan, founder and CEO of Thesis, a Portland, Oregon-based digital marketing agency with 130 employees in operation for 17 years.

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