The Many Faces of JEDI: A Developmental Exploration

Aftab Erfan

Abstract: Many organizations and communities have grown initiatives dedicated to advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) at a time when global and local inequities are front and center in the societal discourse. The movement towards JEDI is simultaneously full of positive transformative potential, and full of both ideological and interpersonal conflict. This paper explores the JEDI movement in organizational contexts using a developmental lens. It applies the structure of seven action-logics from adult development theory to describe how one’s orientation to JEDI issues may mature over time. It offers suggestions for how late action-logic actors can become more effective in the JEDI space by recognizing the dynamics at play and intentionally supporting and expediting vertical development of the actors involved.