Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can feel like the Greek myth of Sisyphus—eternally doomed to push a boulder up a mountain only to watch it roll back down. Often, the greatest obstacle to lasting change isn’t the initial resistance to DEI, but the stagnation that follows the early commitment. Organizations may gain momentum at first, only to fall back into old patterns that reinforce the very status quo they pledged to change. This happens not because people are disingenuous, but because of deeply rooted systemic and psychological barriers that limit our ability to adapt—even when the change is in our and others’ best interests.

This session explores culture change for DEI as an adaptive challenge that requires uncovering the “competing commitments” that quietly undermine progress. By boldly identifying these hidden commitments and the underlying beliefs that hold them in place, even those of us who are deeply dedicated to culture change can free ourselves to make lasting progress.