What If?: Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue

by Steve Robbins

From incomparable storyteller and beloved diversity and inclusion expert, Steve L. Robbins, comes the 10th Anniversary Edition of his classic book used by scores of companies globally for diversity training.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Cultural

272 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2018

Reviews

[Stephanie’s Libby Antics · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn’t the pbook for everyday individuals.

This is the book the court assigns your big business to use in your new mandatory “compassion and inclusivity” weekly workshop after your COO was caught emailing some offensive BS.

So… 3 stars??

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went to a DEI convention in November and Robbins was the keynote speaker. Part of the convention perks was a free copy of his book. I really enjoyed his talk (he is funny and engaging), but did not find any of the material super enlightening (it might have been for someone with less training in social psychology and brain processes). I was hoping that the book itself might be more in-depth and also a little worried that it would not, so this particular book has sat on my desk in the "to read" pile for a few months. This weekend, I decided to just pick it up and get through it, if for no other reason than to diminish the height of the pile.

And, alas, it was still not very enlightening. I think it is a great general training and introduction to DEI for folks who may not think much about the brain's shortcuts or who are not aware of the benefits of challenging our own assumptions and/or the importance of diverse perspectives. It makes sense to use as guide for discussion and training, but it is not really a book to learn anything in-depth about these topics.

All that said, I have a meeting this week with a focus on how we can increase/improve DEI in our department. I am thinking this might be a good suggestion for short conversations around some of these topics. The book would be useful to assign a chapter or two (they are all 3-7 pages) and then discuss changes (each chapter has activies and questions at the end to spark these kind of discussions). Viewed as an "introductory workbook," I think this is more of a 4.5 star book; viewed as "more information/textbook" it is the 3 stars I rated above.

[Elyssa Gooding · Rating 2 out of 5]

The conclusions reached with each essay and the exercises recommended were great. The essays weren’t. They were navel gazing non-sequiturs that didn’t always clearly relate to the topic of the essay as stated. The connections just weren’t there.

[Sara Kenney · Rating 1 out of 5]

the surface-level assessments, anecdotal wandering off into nothing, obsession with maleness, unkind allusions to his wife, and use of the term "homosexual" in 2008 (and updated in 2018??) hardly makes this worth a basis of discussion about inclusion and diversity.

these anecdotes are sexist and plagued by gender essentialism. it's almost hysterical that he's a self proclaimed diversity expert.

[T.K. Marnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written for wealthy older white men. If you're selecting a reading for a group of wealthy older white men who would be intimidated by a concrete discussion of racism, this book could work for you. In my group, which includes younger and marginalized people, readers found it disappointing and aggravating.

Every chapter of this book begins with an anecdote that will make people laugh and nod...if they've never experienced economic hardship.

Chapter 1: The author purchased expensive fish for the pond on his nice big property and didn't take care of them, so they all died.

Chapter 2: The author got a new vacuum that was "the best money could buy," broke it, and tried to fix it with duct tape.

Chapter 3: Every spring the author buys himself a brand new set of golf clubs, though he doesn't need them and they don't improve his game.

Then in chapter 4, the author illustrates the difference between equality and equity by saying that providing the same number of stalls in men's and women's bathrooms isn't fair, because "women are more likely to use a bathroom trip as a mini social outing." Maybe invoking that stereotype was funny ten years ago, but it's certainly not now. Through the rest of the book, the author gives lip service to sexism and then turns right around and cracks Boomer jokes about his wife, like "When Mom is not at her best, we are in a 'No' environment--no joy, no fun, no communication, and no you-kn0w-what."

I'm especially disappointed by this book because, like the author, I'm Asian American. I recognize my coping mechanisms in the way he writes. Telling only the jokes white people will like, sharing only the parts of my life white people will understand, trying hard to be "relatable" and unthreatening so they'll take me seriously. That's what countless people have to do to fit in and advance in the workplace.

But books about racism should be more than a prop administrators can wave around to say they "support diversity" without ruffling any feathers. Instead of reading 10th anniversary additions of books full of references to Game Boy cartridges and the author's testosterone-fueled reluctance to ask for directions (Siri doesn't judge, dude), organizations should find bolder works that are more in tune with the times.

[Laura H · Rating 2 out of 5]

TLDR: There are lots of others books that raise productive and important dialogues about diversity and inclusion. Pick one of those instead.

Details: I'm a subject matter expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion and have conducted many trainings / classes on how to have these conversations at both the interpersonal level (one-on-one, or small group) and organizational (workplace and educational settings). I state this to give credence to my review below. Simply put, I was not impressed with this book.

The book, written in 2008, needs to be updated. It looks like it was re-printed in 2018, but, based on my reading, does not seem like it was updated at that time. A lot of research on these issues have come out in the past 17 years, and Robbins has clearly not kept up with that research, even though said research adds important knowledge and implications to the topic he discussed. This book also does not address issues like misinformation, polarization, backlash, etc., even though (as I know from research and experience) these issues affect workplace harmony and productive. Ironically, given the theme on being aware of bias, Robbins himself seems unaware of some of his own biases, which come across in his writing. To me, this is most evident in stories involving Robbins's

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a book club at work. It’s filled with a collection of anecdotes, comparing every day life instances to our own implicit biases. I feel like it’s a helpful tool to get people to talk about and evaluate what they’re seeing in the workplace as far as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and what can be done to improve upon those things. It sparked some very engaging conversations.

I didn’t love the book because a few things about it bothered me, but still think it’s useful to incorporate some of these lessons to help chip away at your own biases (as we all have them). It also helped me find a better way to communicate with people that have opposing views from me when it comes to DEI, as some view it negatively.

The book is geared more towards the workplace and the middle class, but feel like everyone could get something out of it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting way to post questions about diversity and inclusion that doesn’t put people on the defensive by only focusing on race. By talking about other ways we categorize the world around us and how we fit in (or don’t) (left handed, minivan driver, etc) and what is a privilege. It also gives you thought provoking discussion questions. I think it would be a good book for a teen who is trying to understand the weighty topics of DEI in an approachable and simple way that will allow them to expand their knowledge to bigger and more complex aspects of diversity.

[sumo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I’ve read on diversity and inclusion (or inclusion and diversity as the author describes it) because it gives actionable exercises for a leader to evaluate their organization and improve it.

The work of D&I is not about political correctness, it is about caring for other humans being a nice caring and compassionate citizen.

Enjoyed listening to the weekly exercises, it I never did them. This would be a great book club book.
I loved how he staged things as “what if” - helped keep folks engaged and not checked out because “well, I wouldn’t do that…”

[Lacey Losh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book and attended bi-weekly discussions as part of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative at work.

While the stories and examples throughout the book are basic and even downright silly at times, I felt the experience of discussing the chapters and finding the ways the subjects related to our own lives and the lives of others to be of significant value. In that way, the book succeeds with its goal of sparking discussions on topics of inclusion and diversity, helping its readers become more thoughtful as they navigate their relationships and the world around them.

[Kathy Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for the average person

I'm in retail management; we're not hiring college graduates. We're hiring misfits: adults from dysfunctional families who've grown up and have their own dysfunctional families. This book wouldn't survive two chapters. Steve addresses upper middle class people. I did like it, though.

[Krys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the emphasis on Inclusion followed by Diversity. Usually you see the reverse order. And various examples provided in the book help me to broader my understanding of different types of diversity and being privileged or negatively affected by who you are or what traits you have. We need to create inclusive culture in our environments to be able to increase and promote diversity.

[Sarai Appel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a great introduction to the ideas that are cornerstones of inclusivity. But the oversimplification, in my opinion, sometimes felt like the author was sometimes talking down to the reader. Great as a book to gift to someone you’d like to share the introductory concepts of inclusivity with, but not for someone looking for more depth of understanding

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

My team picked this as our diversity book club read. At first, I thought the approach was interesting and entertaining. Then, it became grating and repetitive.

Dated, overly simple, and not relevant to today.

Good discussion in spite of the book not because of the book.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this with a group that did engage with the questions posed at the end of the chapters (and added some of our own). This made it work better as a book. Some of the chapters work better than others, but overall I appreciate what he’s trying to do here.

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for work. Highly organised and easy to read, but low on real “answers”. Reading so many of these books that just lay out the questions we all have feels like an endless circle.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of really great, insightful snippets. I read just by myself but would love to do this as a team activity at work. The more people involved the more potential for positive change.

[Vita Barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the personal stories the author shared to tie in the lessons with inclusion & diversity.

[Amanda Galbavi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve has some good examples but he’s much more impactful as a speaker than a writer.

[Klaudia Dochód · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good book with deep insight into diversity and relationships in your daily life. It shows you how being surrounded by different people positively influences you. It changes your perspective, gives your broader idea on anything and everyone around you. Highly recommended!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lessons but wasn't what I thought it would be.