UPDATE: Tech CEOs are being called to action as a new report emphasizes that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) must become a core responsibility of leadership. This urgent message, shared at the National Tech Summit in Australia, underscores the critical need for executives to actively engage in DEI initiatives rather than treating them as secondary issues.
The report, backed by data from the Tech Council of Australia and CommBank, reveals a startling trend: the biggest driver behind Australia’s significant gender gap in technical careers is not a lack of interest or capability among women, but rather the inhospitable nature of tech workplaces. Women are exiting the tech industry mid-career at alarming rates, not due to failure, but because the system is failing them.
Scott Farquhar, co-founder of Atlassian, highlighted this issue in his keynote address, stressing that Australia cannot achieve its goal of 1.2 million tech jobs by 2030 unless company leaders take ownership of the cultural changes necessary to keep women in tech.
“This is not just an HR problem; it is a business imperative that affects your bottom line,” he stated. Without direct leadership involvement, DEI initiatives often fade into performative gestures, failing to address the real issues like hiring practices, leadership behavior, and pay equity.
The report urges CEOs to ask critical questions about their organization’s hiring, retention, and promotion practices. Are equity metrics being tracked and reported? How often are discussions about pay gaps and promotion biases occurring at the executive level? Failing to engage with these questions now means impeding progress in the future.
As the tech sector embraces disruption, the report emphasizes that the real disruption needed is in dismantling the inequities woven into the industry. Companies that prioritize DEI will not only attract top talent but will also foster a culture of innovation and psychological safety, essential for thriving in a rapidly evolving market.
The time for passive support is over. Executives are urged to integrate DEI into their core strategies, ensuring that it is not relegated to the sidelines. By treating DEI as a fundamental business strategy, tech leaders can drive significant cultural shifts that lead to a more inclusive environment.
In summary, the tech industry is at a crossroads. CEOs must step up now to lead DEI efforts that will ultimately define the future of their organizations. The call to action is clear: take ownership, drive change, and make DEI a central focus of your leadership strategy today.
