Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will To Change

by Jennifer Brown

Embrace Diversity and Thrive As An Organization In the rapidly changing business landscape, harnessing the power of diversity and inclusion is essential for the very viability and sustainability of every organization. Talent who feel fully welcomed, valued, respected, and heard by their colleagues and their organizations will fuel this growth. We will only succeed in this transformation if those in leadership pivot from command and control management styles to reinvent how we look at people, every organization’s greatest asset. It’s also critical that we build systems that embrace diversity in all its forms, from identity and background to diversity of thought, style, approach, and experience, tying it directly to the bottom line. Diversity, the New Workplace & the Will to Change stands up and embraces what true diversity and inclusion represent to any organization in any industry-an opportunity. Open your heart and prepare to be inspired as award-winning entrepreneur, dynamic speaker, and respected diversity and inclusion expert Jennifer Brown shares proven strategies to empower members of your entire organization to utilize all of their talents and potential to drive positive organizational change and the future of work.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Management, Nonfiction

330 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2017

Reviews

[Vena Meridel · Rating 1 out of 5]

While there are bright spots in this book, the overall lack of perspective on privileged and power made this book tone deaf and mostly useless.
She visited my work place to do a Q&A about her book and told us (DEI practitioners) that we needed to be nicer and less angry with white men so they would be invested in our work. That sealed the deal for me, tone policing from a wealthy white woman is not productive.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid info for corporations and organizations. I took several notes for consideration. Some info is basic and lagging from today’s perspective. White, male leaders will find info directed at how they can best contribute in this book. I appreciated the chapters relating to purpose filled work.

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will to Change
Author: Jennifer Brown

In Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will to Change, Jennifer Brown explores the critical need for diversity and inclusion in the modern workplace, offering actionable insights for leaders and organizations striving to foster inclusive environments. Drawing on her extensive experience as a consultant and speaker in the field of diversity, Brown presents a compelling argument for why inclusion is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage in today’s competitive business landscape.

Overview
The book is structured around the core concepts of diversity and inclusion, emphasizing their interconnectedness and importance in cultivating a thriving workplace culture. Brown argues that while many organizations have made strides in promoting diversity, true inclusion—the genuine engagement and empowerment of all employees—remains elusive for many. By blending personal anecdotes, case studies, and research findings, she effectively illustrates the challenges and opportunities associated with building inclusive workplaces.

Key Themes
The Business Case for Inclusion: One of the central arguments of the book is that diversity and inclusion are essential for innovation and growth. Brown provides evidence showing that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, as they bring a variety of perspectives that lead to more creative problem-solving and better decision-making.

Understanding Bias and Privilege: Brown delves into the complexities of unconscious bias and privilege, encouraging readers to reflect on their own biases and consider how these affect their workplace interactions. This self-awareness is crucial for leaders looking to create environments where all employees feel valued and included.

Actionable Strategies for Leaders: The book outlines practical strategies for leaders to implement inclusive practices within their organizations. Brown emphasizes the importance of listening to employees, fostering open dialogue, and establishing structures that support inclusivity, such as mentorship programs and employee resource groups.

Creating a Culture of Inclusion: Brown stresses that inclusion is a cultural shift that requires ongoing commitment and effort from all levels of an organization. She provides frameworks for assessing workplace culture and identifies key actions that leaders can take to promote inclusivity.

The Role of Change Agents: Throughout the book, Brown highlights the significance of change agents—individuals within organizations who advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives. She encourages readers to embrace their roles as change agents, empowering them to influence their organizations positively.

Strengths
Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will to Change stands out for its combination of theoretical insights and practical applications. Brown’s engaging writing style makes complex topics accessible, ensuring that readers can readily apply her insights to their own workplaces. The use of real-world examples and case studies enhances the book’s relevance, illustrating the impact of inclusive practices in tangible terms.

Additionally, Brown’s emphasis on the personal journey of understanding bias and privilege resonates deeply, encouraging a reflective approach to leadership that goes beyond mere compliance with diversity initiatives.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Inclusion: Diversity, The New Workplace & The Will to Change by Jennifer Brown is a vital resource for leaders and organizations committed to fostering inclusive work environments. By effectively articulating the business case for inclusion and providing practical strategies for implementation, Brown inspires readers to take meaningful action toward creating workplaces that embrace diversity in all its forms. This book is highly recommended for anyone interested in enhancing their understanding of diversity and inclusion within organizational contexts and in making a lasting impact in their workplace.

[Fraser Simons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it might be an overall more useful text if you a) need to still be convinced that inclusion is good and b) you work in a corporate environment. Some of it applies at an individual level and that’s where it was more useful for me. The problem is that a lot of the tools are for corporate work at the level of CFO, CEO, etc. Lots of places would most likely be unable to afford to use the suggested tools and resources. Lots of examples are huge businesses and benefits for taking these steps, which is great, don’t get me wrong... but it feels exclusionary of most people’s lives.

By far the facts and figures included can be applied, and taking notes from this book will hopefully allow me to see the intersections from this with other books about inclusive lifestyles, communities, etc.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Inclusion was an assignment within our department in an effort to facilitate cultural competence within a university. I was a bit resistant at first because the book is written from a corporate perspective and by a white female author. I didn’t expect the book to be relevant within a higher education setting. However, I was quickly drawn in to the chapters by the insightful reflections and universally practical lessons. Every two weeks our department spent an hour in reflective discussion around a couple of chapters. Inclusion is an excellent resource for developing cultural competence within any organization.

[Julia Hunter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot say I finished this book because I stopped on page 30 when she started to say that the CEO of Starbucks putting a “Race Together” phrase on the Starbucks cups was a great way to start a conversation regarding police killings of Black men…that seems like some phony stuff to me. Her lack of perspective as a white women is rough and was too tone deaf for me to continue. I recognize it was written in 2016, but dang-there has got to be something better than this to teach CEOs and companies how to be better. Why are we tip toring around people? Be better!

[Sai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hugely important topic. I recommend it and particularly appreciate the author's clear and honest voice. However, I would have loved to see more case studies in detail because learning the specific processes, opportunities and pitfalls teams and companies have gone through is what's needed for others to learn how to go about creating better workplaces.

[Sarah Sharits · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an easy enough read and I appreciated her broad definition of diversity. Unless you are in upper management, it may be challenging to implement her suggestions. However, I appreciated the perspective and the reminders of how our biases can impact our workplaces.

[Mara Vernon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful read in understanding diversity and inclusivity in organizations. I appreciated the author relating how diversity actually increases the effectiveness of organizations. The book is targeted at higher levels in organizations who have the authority and power to make decisions.

[Andrea Janov · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good information to help you think through how to help a company think through changing their culture to be more inclusive. Some of this was for a company that is larger than my current one, so a lot of information was highlighted and bookmarked for later.

[Brian Kovesci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still relevant 8 years after publication. I'm on an inclusivity project at work and this was certainly helpful in validating all the things I've come to think in the universe of inclusivity, I kind of wish I would have started here a year and a half ago.

[Anna Minte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently use this as complementary reading for my Diversity class.

[Ria Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource book for diversity and inclusion practicioners. Well written with practical advice and resources.

[Masha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and up to date book on corporate diversity and inclusion basics, strategies and best practices. Good amount of practical examples.

[Juan Consuegra · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average recap of the main topics about diversity and inclusion in corporate life today. Good reflection, nothing really breakthrough given today’s reality.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good

Overall, good ideas and themes. I was hoping for more detail on concrete steps to take but it was a bit more abstract.

[Daniel Noventa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent look at inclusion at work and practical information on becoming an active agent in inclusion.

[Arturo Mijangos · Rating 5 out of 5]

* Bad
** Not-Bad
*** Good (Topic, story was interesting/compelling)
**** Great (The writing was great and well organized)
***** Amazing (I want to share it, re-read it, apply it)

This book took longer to read than I expected. At the time I was getting ready for an executive course on DEI. The plans changed and I laid it down. I picked it back up in November and kept reading. I believe that I was not ready for this book earlier, once I had enough knowledge and the need for some textbook answers everything clicked.

I'm excited to apply again to the DEI Course and to engage new stakeholders for DEI.

[Rachel Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've seen Jennifer Brown speak in person a couple of times and she is engaging. Her TED talk is worth checking out.

I was already aware of a lot of the content going in. I think this would be useful for people who don't yet know about or understand the benefits of inclusion and diversity.

[Joe Finch · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book would have been more appreciated in 2016 versus reading it in 2020. There has been such an evolved transformation regarding DEI since 2016, that this almost feels too surface level, general and borderline antiquated already. The principles and message remains, but from an execution standpoint, there are so many better detailed books out there reflecting on modern corporate culture. It’s not Jennifer Brown’s fault that it is this way, but if I’m looking to provide my colleagues a good read, I’m probably investing in either a quicker read that covers the same material or something a bit more current.

[Carm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do think it’s always a good idea to read different perspectives on D&I, but this book had a few examples of recommended practices that friends in the field from different backgrounds actively speak against. I did like the book, because it still challenged me to think through items in new ways

[Angel Suarez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book regarding work and DEI. I love the author’s research and use of experience from multiple sources of CEO and Fortune 500 leaders.

[Karen Catlin]

Great overview to the issue and opportunity. I especially appreciated the chapter on ERGs. Best practices, how they evolve along a continuum, and the role of executive sponsors.