Expanding the Spotlight

Hello Trailblazers & Changemakers,

The end of the year means recognition season. Performance reviews, annual awards, employee spotlights, bonus conversations—every company is gearing up to celebrate the people who made an impact this year. Recognition is in the air, but it begs an important question:

Who’s getting recognized… and who’s getting overlooked?

This is the time when companies reveal what they truly value. And it’s also the moment when ERGs have the biggest opportunity to influence how impact is defined.

It’s time to challenge the traditional ways we celebrate success and expand our definition of what meaningful workplace contributions actually look like.

Recognition Is a Culture-Defining Tool

Recognition isn’t just feel-good praise—it's one of the clearest signals of an organization’s priorities. The people we choose to uplift reflect what we value, reward, and replicate.

Yet too often, end-of-year recognition highlights:

• The loudest voices

• The most visible performers

• Those with the cleanest KPIs

• Or the people already closest to power

But impact doesn’t only show up in dashboards or OKRs.

What about the quiet culture builders?
The ERG leaders who hold space for belonging?
The teammates who mentor new hires, keep morale high, or troubleshoot problems before anyone even notices?

These contributions rarely fit into neat performance categories—but they are essential to belonging, retention, and a healthy workplace ecosystem.

If we really want cultures where inclusion shows up everywhere, then it must also show up in how we celebrate success.

Expand the Lens on Impact

ERGs are uniquely positioned to shift the spotlight—because ERG leaders see the invisible labor that rarely makes it into performance systems.

Here are a few ways to help broaden how your organization celebrates people:

Champion more equitable recognition practices

Start by partnering with HR or your People team. Ask whether ERG representatives can be included in:

• Award nomination committees

• Performance calibration discussions

• Employee-of-the-year selection processes

Your perspective helps surface contributions leadership may not see day-to-day.

Launch a “Culture Add Spotlight”

Feature employees who:

• Strengthen team culture

• Model inclusion consistently

• Go above and beyond outside their job description

• Support ERG initiatives

• Mentor or sponsor colleagues

This is an easy win for an ERG newsletter, Slack channel, or monthly meeting—and it creates a flywheel of appreciation.

Encourage anonymous peer recognition

Bias shows up when recognition is tied to popularity, visibility, or proximity to leadership. Anonymous shout-outs level the playing field by focusing on:

• Behaviors

• Contributions

• Impact on others

You’ll be surprised how many people finally get credit when recognition is unbiased.

Spotlight ERG contributions during end-of-year wrap-ups

Too many ERG leaders pour hours into programming, planning, mentoring, and supporting employees—and never receive formal acknowledgment.

Compile your wins, volunteer hours, membership engagement, partnerships, and stories. Share them with HR, leadership, and your ERG community so the work doesn’t stay hidden.

Celebrate to Elevate

Recognition, when done right, is both a reflection of the past and a blueprint for the future. It signals the values that will carry the organization forward and the behaviors worth modeling.

When we broaden our definition of success, we create a culture where more people feel:

• Seen

• Valued

• Motivated

• Connected

• Empowered to lead in their own way

Let your ERG be a voice for more inclusive, expansive celebration. Because how we recognize each other shapes how we show up—and who feels they belong.

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.