Diversity & Inclusion: What role can Executive Search play? Diversity Inclusion Survey Report | Page 15

“Showing your clients an understanding of
diversity and an awareness of the benefits
it can bring to their business is a powerful
tool.”
Survey Respondent
I
ntegrating Diversity & Inclusion strategies in recruitment, such as forced representation in longlists for senior
posts, is seen by some organizations as a foundational action to achieve proportional representation in
senior leadership. Some organizations are requesting equal gender representation on longlists alongside the
introduction of policies similar to the Rooney Rule and the Mansfield Rule.
The Rooney Rule is a policy in the NFL that states all teams are required to interview at least one minority
candidate for head coaching and senior football operation openings. It was established in 2003 and over the
following 15 years led to a significant increase in the number of minority head coaches, reaching a high of 22%
in 2018.
Variations
of the rule are now in place in other industries as organizations see if it serves as a good game
Survey
Respondent
plan for them too. Facebook, Amazon, Pinterest, Salesforce, Checkr, BBVA, and the BBC have all announced that
they are experimenting with a variation of the Rooney Rule.