At Applied Materials, Hosea Lai believes solving problems around diversity and inclusion requires resilience

Since joining one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies 10 months ago, Hosea Lai, the former regional APAC director of Microsoft Philanthropies and head of social impact at LinkedIn has been deeply immersed in examining how the APAC region set-up has been falling short within its own walls and working out the goals and actions to initiate pivotal transformation.

Still, the legwork it takes to understand and solve this and other DEI problems require resilience. Lai admits that ticking boxes and moving on can be the more attractive option, but he doesn’t want to window dress.

“When we talk about hiring more women, how do you do it?” Lai asks rhetorically. “We never tell people you have to hire a woman. For me, it’s about working with the leaders to go ‘work with talent acquisition on how to increase the pipeline of women into the jobs’, (beginning with) getting a more diverse channel for us to start our interviews,” he explains.

“It’s a little bit more work at the back end, but we need it.”

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Taking a top-down approach

For Lai, intentionality is crucial, and he is starting with those at the top. He is adamant — and earnestly so — to create a seismic shift in the mindsets of senior management. Convincing them that incorporating DEI is a necessary next step in the broader evolution of Applied Materials is not the crux; those at the top are already converted. It’s the how that requires his attention.

His insistence on looking hard at themselves and finding ways to do better guides him in shaping an environment where all employees know their views are heard, respected, and valued.

Beyond Applied Materials, he believes the benefits of DEI occur on three levels.

“When we have the right mindset, the system becomes more equitable for individuals. On the organisational level, better creativity and innovation lead to better decision-making, resulting in better outcomes and a better bottom line. Finally, society benefits because you get people who are more inclusive, tolerant, and understanding.” “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”