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Equity: How to Design Organizations Where Everyone Thrives
A fast and engaging read, Equity helps leaders create more inclusive organizations using human-centered design and behavior change principles.
Even the most passionate advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion have been known to treat equity as the middle child—the concept they skip over to get to the warm, fuzzy feelings of inclusion. But Minal Bopaiah shows throughout this book that equity is critical if organizations really want to leverage differences for greater impact.
Equity allows leaders to create organizations where employees can contribute their unique strengths and collaborate better with peers. Bopaiah explains how leaders can effectively raise awareness of systemic bias and craft new policies that lead to better outcomes and lasting behavioral changes. This book is rich in real-world examples, such as managing partners at a consulting firm who learn to retell their personal stories of success by crediting their systemic advantages and news managers at NPR who redesign their processes to support greater diversity among news sources. This slender book expands DEI past human resources initiatives and shows how leaders can embed equity into core business functions like marketing and communications.
Filled with humor, heart, and pragmatism, Equity is a guidebook for change, answering the question of how that so many leaders are asking today.
176 pages, Paperback
Published September 7, 2021
31 people are currently reading
907 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 23, 2021
My review is here in
Philanthropy News Digest
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February 24, 2024
Book of the Day – Equity
Today’s Book of the Day is EQUITY, written by Minal Bopaiah in 2021 and published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Minal Bopaiah is an author, speaker, and strategic consultant with nearly 20 years of professional experience. She mostly speaks and writes about psychology, human-centred design, change, and how to foster inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) when it comes to business, communication, and organizational design.
I have chosen this book because I cited it during a presentation, a couple of days ago, speaking about the IDEA principles in a corporate environment.
Minal Bopaiah‘s book is a deep and engaging exploration of one of our most pressing issues: achieving workplace equity. In a world where diversity and inclusion are topics that often end up being diluted into pointless corporate slogans, Bopaiah‘s book stands out as a beacon of clarity and actionable insight.
What makes this book so relevant is its unwavering focus on several practical and highly effective strategies for creating truly equitable workplaces. Bopaiah doesn’t just talk about the importance of diversity; she also provides concrete steps that each kind of organization, at any level, can take to create and foster an environment where every single individual feels valued, appreciated, and empowered.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. The author distils concepts that for some could be complex into digestible nuggets of wisdom, making it a valuable resource for both seasoned diversity practitioners and those new to the field and searching for a place to start from. I am convinced that whether you are an HR professional, a manager, or an employee looking to drive a real, positive, and measurable change from within, Equity has something for you.
Throughout the book, Bopaiah emphasizes the importance of true, sincere empathy and deep, open understanding in building inclusive cultures. Drawing on her extensive experience as a diversity consultant, she provides numerous real-world examples and case studies that illustrate the transformative power of equity-driven leadership in each kind of environment and business area.
Moreover, this book doesn’t shy away from addressing uncomfortable truths about systemic biases and power dynamics in the workplace that could often fight against open inclusivity. Bopaiah encourages readers to become aware of these behaviours and then confront them head-on, offering clear guidance on how to navigate even the most delicate and difficult conversations and effect meaningful, positive, and long-lasting change.
Ultimately, this is more than just a book; it’s a true call to action against all the factors that limit integration, inclusion, and empathy. Bopaiah challenges readers to become aware of their bias, rethink their assumptions, question the status quo, and then finally commit to creating better workplaces where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. In an era defined by social upheaval and calls for justice, Equity truly provides an effective, clear, and practical roadmap for building a better, more inclusive future.
In conclusion, I think that this book is an essential reading for anyone deeply and sincerely committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. With its smart blend of insightful analysis, practical advice, and inspiring anecdotes, Equity has the power to spark meaningful change in organizations of all sizes and industries. Highly recommended.
Today’s Book of the Day is EQUITY, written by Minal Bopaiah in 2021 and published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Minal Bopaiah is an author, speaker, and strategic consultant with nearly 20 years of professional experience. She mostly speaks and writes about psychology, human-centred design, change, and how to foster inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) when it comes to business, communication, and organizational design.
I have chosen this book because I cited it during a presentation, a couple of days ago, speaking about the IDEA principles in a corporate environment.
Minal Bopaiah‘s book is a deep and engaging exploration of one of our most pressing issues: achieving workplace equity. In a world where diversity and inclusion are topics that often end up being diluted into pointless corporate slogans, Bopaiah‘s book stands out as a beacon of clarity and actionable insight.
What makes this book so relevant is its unwavering focus on several practical and highly effective strategies for creating truly equitable workplaces. Bopaiah doesn’t just talk about the importance of diversity; she also provides concrete steps that each kind of organization, at any level, can take to create and foster an environment where every single individual feels valued, appreciated, and empowered.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. The author distils concepts that for some could be complex into digestible nuggets of wisdom, making it a valuable resource for both seasoned diversity practitioners and those new to the field and searching for a place to start from. I am convinced that whether you are an HR professional, a manager, or an employee looking to drive a real, positive, and measurable change from within, Equity has something for you.
Throughout the book, Bopaiah emphasizes the importance of true, sincere empathy and deep, open understanding in building inclusive cultures. Drawing on her extensive experience as a diversity consultant, she provides numerous real-world examples and case studies that illustrate the transformative power of equity-driven leadership in each kind of environment and business area.
Moreover, this book doesn’t shy away from addressing uncomfortable truths about systemic biases and power dynamics in the workplace that could often fight against open inclusivity. Bopaiah encourages readers to become aware of these behaviours and then confront them head-on, offering clear guidance on how to navigate even the most delicate and difficult conversations and effect meaningful, positive, and long-lasting change.
Ultimately, this is more than just a book; it’s a true call to action against all the factors that limit integration, inclusion, and empathy. Bopaiah challenges readers to become aware of their bias, rethink their assumptions, question the status quo, and then finally commit to creating better workplaces where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. In an era defined by social upheaval and calls for justice, Equity truly provides an effective, clear, and practical roadmap for building a better, more inclusive future.
In conclusion, I think that this book is an essential reading for anyone deeply and sincerely committed to building diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. With its smart blend of insightful analysis, practical advice, and inspiring anecdotes, Equity has the power to spark meaningful change in organizations of all sizes and industries. Highly recommended.
Read
January 13, 2022Leaders who want to build fair and inclusive organizations should put more thought into designing equitable systems and processes. When leaders design for equity, hiring diverse and talented employees will become a matter of course. Equity is also vital to an organization’s success because the younger generation increasingly views issues of sustainability and social justice as mandatory. The moral choices that leaders make now will directly impact their ability to attract talent, retain customers, and remain profitable in the twenty-first century.
Actionable advice:
Put pressure on your higher-ups to make changes.
It doesn’t matter what job title you hold or how much money you make – you still have the power to push for change. One way you can achieve change is by putting pressure on your higher-ups to advance equitable policies. And if your managers aren’t listening, or aren’t on board, there are ways of taking matters into your own hands. For example, you could organize a walkout, like the employees of Wayfair did back in 2019. Five hundred people walked out of the headquarters in Boston to protest the company's policy of selling beds to migrant detention centers. You hold the power to effect change – so use it!
Actionable advice:
Put pressure on your higher-ups to make changes.
It doesn’t matter what job title you hold or how much money you make – you still have the power to push for change. One way you can achieve change is by putting pressure on your higher-ups to advance equitable policies. And if your managers aren’t listening, or aren’t on board, there are ways of taking matters into your own hands. For example, you could organize a walkout, like the employees of Wayfair did back in 2019. Five hundred people walked out of the headquarters in Boston to protest the company's policy of selling beds to migrant detention centers. You hold the power to effect change – so use it!
December 31, 2022
In Equity: How to Design Organizations Where Everyone Thrives, Minal Bopaiah shares a framework for working towards equity in organizations as well as many useful examples. This book will be useful for those working inside of organizations or those facilitating these conversations and processes from outside.
This book was a winner of 2022 Alliance for Nonprofit Management Terry McAdam award, which honors the best book to support those who work with nonprofit organizations. I found many insights and tools that I will use with clients to talk about the importance of equity and the path to equity. Thank you Minal Bopaiah!
This book was a winner of 2022 Alliance for Nonprofit Management Terry McAdam award, which honors the best book to support those who work with nonprofit organizations. I found many insights and tools that I will use with clients to talk about the importance of equity and the path to equity. Thank you Minal Bopaiah!
August 20, 2023
Outstanding Read!
This is an outstanding book for anyone who is interested in diversity, equity and inclusion as a way of improving business functions and understanding the necessity of equity in that process. In this time of devisiveness and misunderstanding of the value of diversity, equity and inclusion, EQUITY provides the clarity necessary to operationalize the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion and appreciate that DEI is for everyone's benefit--Individuals, Businesses, and Institutions.
This is an outstanding book for anyone who is interested in diversity, equity and inclusion as a way of improving business functions and understanding the necessity of equity in that process. In this time of devisiveness and misunderstanding of the value of diversity, equity and inclusion, EQUITY provides the clarity necessary to operationalize the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion and appreciate that DEI is for everyone's benefit--Individuals, Businesses, and Institutions.
July 19, 2024
I appreciate Minal's sensitivity to the complexity in the evolving space of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). The book covers how to maximise our efforts in implementing human-centred design, recognise our implicit bias, and achieve the necessary preconditions for equity through behavioural change communications such as storytelling to unmask the invisible system for appropriate system redesign, which ideally includes accessibility as well. We need more leaders to value differences, see patterns in our systems and use their power to create more opportunities for others.
December 16, 2021
Quick read. Really written more towards leaders in organizations with not as much individual employees. That’s ok, because equity is about changing the system, so having power in an organization allows you the ability to affect change. Lots of thoughts and ideas sparked, but some of it did read a bit like an advertisement for the author’s consultancy firm.
December 27, 2021
Excellent book on how to create a more equitable and inclusive workforce and society.
My Review
My Review
blinks
March 3, 2022[Only listened to the Blinks via Blinkist]
Appreciated the actionable REACH model, the push to make system change visible and the need to paint a clear picture of the positive future that results from system change.
Appreciated the actionable REACH model, the push to make system change visible and the need to paint a clear picture of the positive future that results from system change.
June 8, 2025
This a great read. It makes big complex ideas easily digestible, uncovering how "the system" we live in works. Minal weaves her personal stories into the book to make it interesting and easily 'accessible' for all readers. Looking forward to see what she writes about next!
March 23, 2022
I read this as part of a book club at work and found it to be a really accessible and engaging read. It's a book that I will definitely reference and reread again.
April 12, 2022
I do not like reading self help and corporate type books usually. I had to read this for work. It was very well written and the examples and storytelling really brought the concepts to life.
July 24, 2022
Accessible. Practical
July 11, 2023
I liked this book and the things she postulated but I listened to the audible version and did not love it being read by the author.
December 31, 2024
Super insightful reading about DEI dirtiest word of the year, equity, through the lens of intentional design.
October 8, 2025
Informative brief overview of equity in business. Borrowed this for my class. This was easy to listen to.
January 14, 2022
REACH model: representation, experience, accessibility, compensation, and harm reduction - tool for screening marketing communications before posting them
Equality =/= equity
Systemic rasism in the US
fair and inclusive organizations = equitable systems and processes
Equality =/= equity
Systemic rasism in the US
fair and inclusive organizations = equitable systems and processes
November 21, 2021
When I first started Equity: How to Design Organizations Where Everyone Thrives by Minal Bopaiah, I kept thinking how all the characters of The Office needed to read this book. I mean, I have never seen an entire episode of The Office, and all I know about the show are the toxic behaviors of Michael Scott turned into memes, but based on all the memes I have seen, this book would be perfect for him at least.
Lots of IDEAs
The ideas (pun wholeheartedly intended) in Equity are not your old-school, dry DEI education that’s cheesy and uncomfortable for the many identities that it subjects. This book synthesizes different theories of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and expands them into the concept of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility). I had never seen discussions expanded to include Accessibility; DEI is less effective (if effective at all) if it isn’t accessible.
I am a former DEI nerd now converted to an IDEA nerd. I really like that Equity does a great job of introducing these concepts in a way that doesn’t seem overly simplified for those who are already familiar. I’ve read a lot of DEI things in the past, including some workplace themed material, but they were basic. With all the figures and graphics, this made for a quick, easy-to-understand read.
Office Book Club
One time I worked at an office where one of my coworkers was having an issue with someone else in our department. When she went to her supervisor for help, instead of mediating the issue, her supervisor gave my coworker a book to read so she could solve the issue herself. I wholeheartedly believe in the power of books, but reading that book would not have solved the inherent power dynamic that her supervisor failed to see.
I tell this story to illustrate a point: some issues in a workplace (especially around IDEA) can only be solved by a top down approach. Equity is a book for organizational leaders to learn how to create the most change. Other folks in the organization can only do so much to advance IDEA, but they will always fall short in making substantial and sustainable organizational transformation if they do not have the support from the leaders.
Since people on that leadership team believe in the power of books to solve problems, I would have recommended that book to them (spoiler alert: they needed Equity for more issues than the one in the story).
Something for Everyone
One day I hope to run my own organization (one that is disruptive to capitalism and with a loose hierarchical structure kinda like Feminist Book Club) and I hope to not only learn from the principles of IDEA, but engrain them in everything I do.
Whether or not you run an organization or work for one, there is something for you to take out this book.
Lots of IDEAs
The ideas (pun wholeheartedly intended) in Equity are not your old-school, dry DEI education that’s cheesy and uncomfortable for the many identities that it subjects. This book synthesizes different theories of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and expands them into the concept of IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility). I had never seen discussions expanded to include Accessibility; DEI is less effective (if effective at all) if it isn’t accessible.
I am a former DEI nerd now converted to an IDEA nerd. I really like that Equity does a great job of introducing these concepts in a way that doesn’t seem overly simplified for those who are already familiar. I’ve read a lot of DEI things in the past, including some workplace themed material, but they were basic. With all the figures and graphics, this made for a quick, easy-to-understand read.
Office Book Club
One time I worked at an office where one of my coworkers was having an issue with someone else in our department. When she went to her supervisor for help, instead of mediating the issue, her supervisor gave my coworker a book to read so she could solve the issue herself. I wholeheartedly believe in the power of books, but reading that book would not have solved the inherent power dynamic that her supervisor failed to see.
I tell this story to illustrate a point: some issues in a workplace (especially around IDEA) can only be solved by a top down approach. Equity is a book for organizational leaders to learn how to create the most change. Other folks in the organization can only do so much to advance IDEA, but they will always fall short in making substantial and sustainable organizational transformation if they do not have the support from the leaders.
Since people on that leadership team believe in the power of books to solve problems, I would have recommended that book to them (spoiler alert: they needed Equity for more issues than the one in the story).
Something for Everyone
One day I hope to run my own organization (one that is disruptive to capitalism and with a loose hierarchical structure kinda like Feminist Book Club) and I hope to not only learn from the principles of IDEA, but engrain them in everything I do.
Whether or not you run an organization or work for one, there is something for you to take out this book.
July 1, 2023
The author does a great job of giving concrete examples of her ideas which helps me to understand what this would like within my organization.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews