Better Health Today, LLC

321 Leadership Way, Suite Success

Bonus Salas, Oklahoma 74119

(918) 555-8888

M E M O R A N D U M

To: Board of Directors

From: Executive Director

Subject: Addressing the Diversity Gap in Corporate Leadership at Better Health Today

This memorandum is in response to your request for a review of the companys current lack of diversity and support for our community which have interfered with the ability to obtain major federal funding opportunities in recent years. Based on a critical analysis of the grant reviewers feedback, there are several steps the company can take now and in the future to overcome these constraints. In this regard, the memorandum first describes two key leadership competencies that are needed to improve Better Health Todays community relations followed by an examination of the impact that the lack of diversity has on the community meeting national public health initiatives. Finally, an analysis of two of the major challenges the company faces in improving diversity is followed by a description of two strategies designed to minimize the impact that lack of diversity may have on the company in the future.

Two key leadership competencies needed to improve community relations

In the context of organizational leadership, the term competencies refers to those attributes and behaviors that help public and private sector enterprises achieve superior outcomes in achieving their objectives. For instance, according to the Society for Human Resources Management, Leadership competencies are leadership skills and behaviors that contribute to superior performance (Leadership competencies, 2022, para. 4). Although organizational leaders typically require a comprehensive skill set that varies depending on the situation, some of the key competencies that have been consistently identified as needed for improving relations with the communities in which they operate include 1) valuing diversity and differences and 2) managing politics and influencing others which are described further below.

Valuing diversity and differences:

It is reasonable to suggest that some directors who prefer a homogeneous board that looks just like them might be reluctant to embrace diversity as an important priority. Indeed, the resurgence of violent racial strife in the United States in recent years is proof positive that while the Civil Rights Movement may be over, its overarching aims have not been fully realized throughout American society. Moreover, the relentless diversification of the nations demographics has been met with multiple unfounded conspiracy theories such as replacement theory which has further exacerbated the problem.

Consequently, it is essential for our companys top leadership team to recognize the criticality of not only accepting the reality of the nations changing demographics...…need to guide the companys human resources services to attract and retain more minority members. In addition, Better Healths top leaders could also benefit from specialized training that can help them better engage with the local movers-and-shakers who are in a position to best direct the companys community relations efforts (Elsey, 2019). The implementation of this strategy would involve securing the services of a third-party professional education provider or developing this expertise in-house, depending on the preferences of the board.

The key resources and main communication efforts required to implement the recommended minimizing strategies

The financial costs that are associated with both of the recommended strategies are minimal and the primary cost will be in terms of the time and effort required by board members of complete the specialized training and implement any resulting changes in corporate human resources policies to promote the diversification of Better Healths workforce and relations with the community. The companys weekly newsletter will be used to announce these initiatives and will keep staff apprised of the progress the companys is making towards achieving these corporate goals. In addition, Better Healths social media platforms will be feature cost-effective periodic public announcements concerning new community-based programming as well as the companys newly invigorated emphasis on promoting diversity in its…