Is diversity a byproduct of merit?

1 min read · July 11, 2025
New Power Labs

Diversity isn’t what happens after we find excellence; it’s how we get there.

Those benefiting from the status quo argue that diversity, equity, and inclusion are at odds with merit. They argue that when we focus on hiring or investing for excellence, diversity will follow. 

“Excellence,” however, is in the eye of the beholder, who tends to recognize excellence in people who look, think, talk, and act like themselves.

Left unchecked, unconscious bias narrows our definition of talent. It limits who gets seen, heard, and funded. It limits our ability to build leadership teams that make better decisions, drive stronger performance, and are more resilient in times of change.

SHARE’s recent Investor Guidance advises that DEI is a critical lever to dismantle systemic barriers and create conditions where merit can truly rise. Investors are on board: Companies like Apple and Costco see near-unanimous shareholder votes against anti-DEI proposals. 

Meritocracy would work, but only in a sterile lab, free from years of inherited disadvantage. In a global economy, clinging to limited perceptions of excellence is self-defeating. 

Narinder

New Power Labs

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