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The Advantage of Other: A Leader’s Guide to Building an Equitable, Dynamic, and Productive Workplace

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The Advantage of Other is a practical, personable guide for anyone who has the right intentions around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, but doesn’t have the tools they need to create a long-term, sustainable cultural shift in their company culture.

If you are a little intimidated by the concepts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, this book will teach you everything you need to know about transforming your workplace from the inside out.

The chapters will touch on the five pillars of an People, Presence, Pipeline, Partners, and Profits. Each chapter includes personal stories and struggles, clear goals and objects, and actionable objectives and recommendations for personal and professional transformation. Written in a clear, personable and easy-to-understand style, this book will take you step by step through the process of creating a culture of inclusivity to build a high performing team.

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2023

11 people are currently reading
778 people want to read

About the author

Nancy Geenen

1 book3 followers

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
279 reviews
August 25, 2025
In The Advantage of Other, Nancy Geenen delivers a refreshingly practical and personable guide to transforming workplaces through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Written for leaders who have good intentions but may feel daunted by DEI jargon or unsure where to begin, the book offers clarity and direction without preaching. Grounded in Geenen’s experience as both a serial entrepreneur and a former trial attorney, the narrative blends storytelling with structured strategy—making it a powerful and relatable blueprint for real organizational change.

At the heart of the book are the “Five Pillars” that form the backbone of inclusive leadership: People, Presence, Pipeline, Partners, and Profits. Each chapter dives into one of these pillars, offering not only personal anecdotes and struggles, but also clear objectives, actionable recommendations, and tangible takeaways. These pillars guide readers step‑by‑step through building a culture where diversity isn’t just supported—it becomes a competitive advantage that aligns with both ethical leadership and business performance.

What makes The Advantage of Other particularly compelling is its blend of heart and discipline. Geenen doesn’t just argue for DEI on moral grounds—she shows how a dynamic, equitable environment is also a productive and profitable one, making the case that “people are the greatest competitive advantage”. Her approachable tone, real-world examples, and structured framework leave readers feeling equipped—not overwhelmed—to enact long-lasting change. For leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams committed to both purpose and performance, this book is both a toolkit and a call to action.
Profile Image for Lucia Maranghello.
423 reviews9 followers
October 7, 2023
“The Advantage of Other" by Nancy Geenen is a great book for leaders seeking to foster a workplace culture that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. This book is a pragmatic and personable guide, making the often-intimidating subject of DEI accessible to all.
Structured around the five pillars of an organization, Geenen's book blends personal anecdotes with clear objectives and actionable recommendations. Her writing style is engaging and straightforward, ensuring that readers can easily grasp and apply the concepts discussed. Author Geenen's emphasis on the importance of inclusivity for achieving high performance is particularly compelling.
Whether you're well-versed in DEI or just beginning your journey, "The Advantage of Other" offers a wealth of valuable insights and practical guidance. It's an essential resource for anyone committed to building a more equitable, dynamic, and productive workplace.
Profile Image for Rocio.
340 reviews4 followers
October 4, 2023
"The Advantage of Other" by Nancy Geenen is an extremely valuable book in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I was impressed by its comprehensive approach, which encompasses a wide range of identities and experiences, reflecting a profound understanding of diversity in all its forms.
What I highlight is the combination of personal narratives and practical solutions that the book offers. These stories humanize the concepts, making them more accessible and applicable in real life. Furthermore, Geenen's optimistic attitude brings a sense of hope to a field that often faces significant challenges.
It is an essential read, and I recommend it to those who wish to better understand the importance of diversity in society and business, as well as to those seeking practical tools to promote inclusion.
33 reviews
October 6, 2023
Nancy Geenen outdone herself with this one! Whether you are a leader or not, this book is sure to change the way you think about how you treat people. The Advantage of Other is so very insightful and offers various ways of looking at yourself and others in a new, more respectable way. It is very well written and enjoyable to read. At the end of each chapter, Geenen leaves some "take away" advice on topics covered in the chapter. Honestly, reading this could shape not only workplace environments but school environments as well. Can you imagine every school having a "safe space" for every student to just be themselves without fear of ridicule? How amazing would it be to heal childhood wounds before they ever surface? This book is beautiful and so is the message it conveys. Don't sleep on this one!
Profile Image for Adriana.
131 reviews4 followers
October 7, 2023
"The Advantage of Other" by Nancy Geenen is a must-read for leaders seeking to navigate the complex terrain of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Geenen's book provides an approachable and practical roadmap to transform workplace culture. Whether you're well-versed in DEI or just starting out, this book offers valuable insights.
Structured around the five pillars of an organization, Geenen offers personal stories, clear objectives, and actionable recommendations for each aspect. Her writing is engaging and easy to follow, making it accessible to a broad audience. Geenen's emphasis on creating a culture of inclusivity to boost team performance is both timely and relevant. "The Advantage of Other" is a valuable resource for anyone committed to building a more equitable and dynamic workplace.
Profile Image for Virginia.
86 reviews3 followers
October 7, 2023
"The Advantage of Other" by Nancy Geenen is an indispensable guide for leaders looking to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. Geenen's practical approach demystifies the complex concepts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, making it accessible to all. The book brilliantly covers the five pillars of organizational transformation, providing real-world stories and actionable strategies.
Geenen's personal anecdotes add a relatable touch to the book, enhancing its appeal. Her clear goals and objectives, along with practical recommendations, ensure that readers can implement change effectively. Written in an engaging and easy-to-understand style, this book is a valuable resource for leaders committed to building a high-performing, inclusive team. It's a must-read for those aiming to foster lasting cultural shifts in their organizations.
Profile Image for Daniel Moreno.
828 reviews16 followers
October 7, 2023
Exceptional guide for leaders

"The Advantage of Others" by Nancy Geenen is an exceptional guide for leaders aiming to cultivate a diverse, dynamic, and productive workplace. Geenen's insights and strategies for fostering inclusivity and equality are both enlightening and actionable. She provides a clear path, from inclusive hiring practices to nurturing a culture of belonging, making this book an invaluable resource for leaders seeking to harness the power of diversity. Geenen's expertise offers a roadmap for creating a workplace where every voice is not only heard but valued. It's more than a book; it's a call to lead with compassion and effectiveness. I highly recommend it to all leaders who want to drive positive change. This is a must-read, deserving of a five-star rating.
Profile Image for Laura.
280 reviews5 followers
October 3, 2023
Excellent book

Excellent book. DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) is just too important in today's society to ignore. Old school managers might pooh pooh the concept, but to me it represents progress in the work world, and the goal that all companies should be moving towards. This book does a great job laying down all the basic concepts and strategies and helping the well-meaning manager figure out how to create a good working environment where the employees feel welcome and safe. The first chapter is all about the author's background, which nicely lays out why she is so invested and knowledgeable about inclusion. This book is very well written and easy to understand. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Liz.
1,383 reviews31 followers
October 5, 2023
Nancy Geenen is the author of the very interesting book “The Advantage of Other: A Leader’s Guide to Building an Equitable, Dynamic, and Productive Workplace”. During the last few years, we have been spectators of great changes that have occurred in society, but it is time for us to get involved and be part of those changes.
In this book, the author compiles stories, anecdotes and personal struggles for personal and professional transformation. Without a doubt, it is an inspiring book, full of personal stories from which we can all learn, not only to be better at our jobs, but also to be better human beings. Inclusion and equity are terms that we must put into practice every day. I recommend this book and I hope to read more inspiring books like this one.
Profile Image for Mariela Semprini.
153 reviews7 followers
October 5, 2023
The Advantage of Other: A Leader’s Guide to Building an Equitable, Dynamic, and Productive Workplace is a concise and practical guidebook by Nancy Greenen. The aim of the book is to help leaders implement the avant-garde concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion. The book is divided into seven chapters that are based on the five pillars of an organization: People, Presence, Pipeline, Partners and Profits. I find really useful and inspiring the personal stories and struggles that are included in each chapter. This guide is very easy to read and follow and include ideas and suggestions to apply in leadership. In my opinion, this is a great and helpful tool for today´s managers who want to make the best of their teams.
871 reviews28 followers
October 6, 2023
The Advantage of Other by author Nancy Geenen is aimed to business leaders and managers, in order to transform a company culture and to build high performing teams and productive workplaces regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. Each chapter develops a pillar of the organization: people, presence, pipeline, partners, and profits; and within each, readers can find a starting story or anecdote and determination of goals and objectives.
The organization of the chapters and general design of the book is very worthy. Furthermore, the narrative is clear and understandable for a wide reading target. And finally, the information offered and detailed guidance is extremely valuable to achieve a leadership culture of mattering and belonging in business.
Profile Image for Juan.
425 reviews5 followers
October 6, 2023
"The Advantage of Other" is a wise and helpful manual for anyone looking to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. It’s a good resource for individuals who might feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to start a permanent cultural revolution inside their firm. All in all, it’s a title that everyone can enjoy and get something out of.

The book is organized around the five major organizational pillars of people, presence, pipeline, partners, and profits, and offers a thorough framework for solving these kinds of problems from many perspectives.

Each chapter's personal experiences and difficulties lend a realistic and human element to the subject matter, making it understandable to a broad audience.
Profile Image for Mariana.
652 reviews13 followers
October 8, 2023
The Advantage of Other by Nancy Geenen is an amazing resource that deserves to be read. This insightful book not only challenges traditional workplace norms but also provides actionable strategies to encourage diversity and inclusion. With a focus on empathetic leadership, the book offers practical solutions for creating equitable work environments. I loved to see such a well written book that is not only informative but also really compassionate, making the complex subject matter accessible to a wide range of readers. This book is really relevant; in an era where workplace diversity is crucial, this guidebook equips leaders with the knowledge and tools to navigate the challenges effectively. This is a must-read book for any leader or teamwork member, it is amazing.
Profile Image for Dani Savante.
804 reviews24 followers
October 6, 2023
The Advantage of Other: A Leader's Guide to Building an Equitable, Dynamic, and Productive Workplace is truly a breakthrough for me in everything I have read so far regarding this topic. I am very interested in these topics and I am interested in growing and advancing in the field of work within my own company. These types of readings become an indispensable guide to update yourself in new techniques and values.
This book also incorporates valuable advice and real experiences that helped me a lot when deciding and taking important paths. With the help of this reading, I have grown and incorporated a lot of knowledge regarding inclusion, clearly achievable goals and objectives.
Profile Image for Aneley Sánchez.
988 reviews24 followers
October 7, 2023
Creating a great workplace.

The Advantage of Other by Nancy Geenen is a step-by-step guide for those leaders who are seeking to create a work culture based on diversity, equity and inclusion. It offers, in addition to the theory of how to make these changes, the tools to put it into practice and personal experiences that show that it is possible.
There are concepts that can be overwhelming but the book is a clear, concise and well-organized, and therefore, easy to understand. I think it is aimed at people who agree with this specific work philosophy. I personally think it's great and can be useful for personal and professional life. I recommend it!
Profile Image for Santiago Flores.
1,033 reviews11 followers
October 9, 2023
Highly recommended

This book demystifies the concepts of DEI and offers a comprehensive roadmap for transforming your organization's culture. Geenen explores the five essential pillars of an inclusive organization: People, Presence, Pipeline, Partners, and Profits, providing personal anecdotes, clear objectives, and actionable recommendations at every turn.
Written in an engaging and easily digestible style, "The Advantage of Other" offers a step-by-step journey toward cultivating an inclusive culture that not only benefits your team but also enhances overall performance. Highly recommended for leaders committed to meaningful workplace transformation.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,332 reviews23 followers
October 4, 2023
Diversity for leaders

As leaders, we need to be able to include considerations for diversity, equity, and inclusion in our culture, practices, and leadership style. This book will give you the tools and guidelines to accomplish this. Covering important topics of people, presence, pipeline, partners, and profits the author gives examples and personal accounts that allow you to garner measurable objectives that can be utilized in your own business. While I have some years as a leader under my belt, there was a lot of new information in this book that I didn't know that will be useful to me in my career. I believe this book can make me a better leader as it has given me a new perspective on the topic.
Profile Image for Lupita Ebovure.
31 reviews5 followers
October 5, 2023
Straight to the point

No matter what's your working niche, you should definitely have to be reading this book ASAP.

The content is necessary for today's world and is up to date, yet, the language is easy to understand for anyone.

The best thing about this is that it goes straight to the point without any yidi yadda which is something truly remarkable.

Looking forward to reading more books by. Nancy Green.
46 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2024
Leadership is a team sport, and learning the difference between managing and leadership is vital to an organized business.
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