Communities as Engines of Innovation

Hello Trailblazers & Changemakers,

I hope you all had a wonderful MLK Day and took time to reflect on the legacy of Dr. King and the ongoing work of building a more just and inclusive world.

What immediately comes to your mind when you think about ERGs or other workplace communities? 

Connection? Culture? Peer support?

All of these are critically important, but there’s another (often overlooked) angle that’s just as important: innovation.

While ERGs are indeed spaces for belonging, they’re also think tanks, feedback loops, and pressure sensors. When supported well, they can become some of the most valuable innovation engines inside your company.

Let’s unpack how.

Communities Surface What Others Miss

You’ve probably heard the saying: “Necessity is the mother of invention.” In a similar way, innovation starts with unmet needs. And no one spots gaps in the employee experience faster than ERG members.

Why?

Because many of them are navigating barriers that aren’t visible to the majority, but that materially impact their day-to-day experiences. 

• A disability ERG notices how inaccessible internal tools are.

• A Black ERG flags biased performance criteria in promotion reviews.

• A parents’ group identifies gaps in caregiver leave policies.

More than simple complaints, these are ideas waiting to be acted upon. When ERG members share insights from the margins, they help the company see around corners. Your job as an ERG leader is to help get these ideas in front of the right people.

Psychological Safety Fuels Better Ideas

Research has shown that psychological safety is a key driver of innovation. People are more likely to share bold ideas, give feedback, and take creative risks when they feel safe, heard, and valued.

That’s exactly what strong communities provide.

When done right, ERGs and other internal groups create trusted spaces where people can be honest without fear of backlash, thus unlocking a more honest, more creative, and more future-focused way of thinking.

So if you’re leading a community, don’t underestimate your strategic value.

• Frame your feedback as insight. Beyond sharing concerns, you’re surfacing opportunities for company development.

• Pitch ideas in terms of business outcomes. Will it improve retention, engagement, customer experience? These things matter to those at the top.

• Document your wins. Innovation is easier to scale when it’s visible and backed by real results.

And if you’re not sure where to start, ask your members: What’s one thing we wish worked better around here?

That’s the seed of your next big idea.

Onward and upward,

Dumebi

If you're interested in exploring how Chezie can enhance your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), I invite you to schedule a demo. We also offer a wealth of resources to support your ERG initiatives:

• ERG Toolkit: Comprehensive guides and templates to help you establish and manage effective ERGs.

• Blue Pages: A collection of articles and thought pieces on best practices for ERGs.

• ERG Leaders Community: Join discussions with ERG and DEI leaders to share experiences and strategies.

Lastly, connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights and updates.