How Johnson & Johnson wants to drive innovation through diversity

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) today announced its inaugural “You Belong: Diversity & Inclusion Impact Review,” outlining its strategic diversity and inclusion philosophy that is driving innovation at the company.
In the Impact Review, Johnson & Johnson said it developed and launched its diversity and inclusion vision, mission and definition in 2018. The initiative was designed to create alignment throughout the organization to five a better idea of what diversity and inclusion means and how to use it in how the business operates.
The company also continued to roll out an unconscious bias training program that has since been completed by 105,000 employees, 95% of managers and more than 85% of all employees.
Inclusive cultures have been shown to be eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes, six times more likely to be innovative and agile and three times more likely to be high performing, according to diversity and inclusion data from Deloitte. A Gallup study also reports that improving inclusion can result in a 27% reduction in turnovers, 40% reduction in safety incidents and a 12% increase in productivity.
“We believe that only when our employees can be their true, authentic selves can they spark innovative solutions to the problems facing our world,” EVP and chief HR officer Peter Fasolo said in a news release. “From our humble beginnings more than a century ago, diversity and inclusion have been at the heart of our prescription for success. Our associates around the world work hard to make Johnson & Johnson a welcoming place where diverse ideas can flourish, and with this publication, we’ve tried to bring their stories to life. We’re honored to share it with the world.”
Johnson & Johnson has also integrated inclusion throughout performance management, development and compensation conversations; launched a global diversity and inclusion honors program to celebrate driving business impact in its three strategic pillars; launched a #BelongatJNJ campaign for employees to share their diversity and inclusion stories and hosted TEDTalk events at Johnson & Johnson to allow employees to share unique stories and experiences.
“Having diversity and inclusion as a business imperative is so critical. It’s about far more than checking a box and can’t simply be boiled down to one initiative or program,” chief diversity and inclusion officer Wanda Bryant Hope said. “Instead, D&I needs to inform every component of business operations. Our Impact Review sheds light on our evidence-based approach, and how it has made a difference for our patients, stakeholders and customers around the world. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and are honored by the recognition we’ve received globally by prominent organizations as we continue to prioritize our culture of belonging. But, we know that there’s always more work to be done.”