- Nationwide protests have put a spotlight on racial injustice and inequality in the US.
- As a result, business leaders across the country are having frank conversations about diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
- One way to better educate yourself on diversity and inclusion is through reading.
- Here are several titles every executive should know about, including popular titles like “Inclusify” and “Subtle Acts of Exclusion.”
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Calls for anti-racism and inclusion are louder than ever after nationwide protests erupted in the weeks following the killing of George Floyd.
Business leaders have put out statements in response to Floyd’s death, but some say companies need to take further action to create more diverse cultures at work. One way executives and HR leaders can educate themselves on creating inclusive company cultures is by reading.
Thankfully, there is no shortage of compelling books in this space. If you’re looking for a read that will make you a more effective leader, consider one of these titles.
“Inclusify” by Stefanie Johnson
Management expert Stefanie Johnson describes how employees have two basic desires: to fit into a group and to stand out as individuals. “Inclusify,” provides a roadmap for leaders to bring out the best in others by not just embracing differences, but including them in workplace policies, in other words “inclusifying.”
"Subtle Acts of Exclusion" by Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran
Sometimes bias comes out in the form of microaggressions, or indirect, often unintentional expressions of racism, sexism, ageism, or ableism. In this useful guide, Tiffany Jana and Michael Baran go through what to avoid saying and how to address microaggressions if you witness or experience them.
"Edge" by Laura Huang
Most people think success comes from the absence of obstacles and shortcomings, but Harvard Business School professor Laura Huang has a different theory. In "Edge," Huang argues that success is really about confronting your perceived shortcomings and turning them into assets.
"#MeToo in the Corporate World" by Sylvia Ann Hewlett
The #MeToo movement has changed nearly every industry in the US. Now, it's time for the movement to become more inclusive, economist and author Sylvia Ann Hewlett argues in her latest work. The book provides context for corporate leaders, reveals new data on sexual harassment in the workplace, and gives advice on how to make environments safer for marginalized people.
"Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring" by Lisa Z. Fain and Lois J. Zachary
As the US workforce becomes more diverse, more mentors and mentees may come from different backgrounds. So how does one bridge the cultural gap? Authors Lisa Fain and Lois Zachary go through examples to illustrate how to become more aware, understanding, and effective in connecting with others.
"The Power of Disability" by Al Etmanski
One in four Americans has a disability, yet representation of their stories - especially their stories of success - is largely underrepresented. Al Etmanski, disability activist, community organizer, and author, seeks to change that in "The Power of Disability." His book offers 10 lessons everyone can learn from notable figures with disabilities including Greta Thunberg, Stephen Hawking, and more.
"Breaking the Silence Habit" by Sarah Beaulieu
In order for work environments to eliminate sexual harassment and respond to it effectively, more employees and leaders are going to have to start having uncomfortable conversations. That's according to Sarah Beaulieu, who works with companies to create safe workplaces. Her book outlines steps leaders can take to make change.
"In the Land of Men" by Adrienne Miller
At 22, Adrienne Miller got her break in the literary world when she landed an editorial assistant job at GQ. There, she learned how to make it in a man's world. She'd then go on to Esquire as the first female literary editor, where she developed a close friendship with famed literary author David Foster Wallace. "In the Land of Men," is a moving memoir about how a young woman found success in a male-dominated workplace.
"Whistleblower" by Susan Fowler
In 2017, Susan Fowler wrote a blog post detailing the sexual harassment and retaliation she experienced while at Uber. The post went viral and ultimately led to the ousting of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick and starting a wave of institutional changes within Silicon Valley tech companies. In the book, Fowler reflects on everything that happened since she went public.
"Able" by Dylan Alcott
Dylan Alcott is a three-time Paralympic gold medalist, Grand Slam tennis champion, and DJ who wants to change the way the world sees people with disabilities, as well as how people with disabilities see themselves. His inspiring book shows that for any one thing you may not be able to do, there are thousands of other things you can.
"Divergent Mind" by Jenara Nerenberg
Jenara Nerenberg was shocked to find out that what she thought was anxiety was actually autism and ADHD. In her book, "Divergent Mind," Nerenberg examines why neurodiversity is often overlooked in women and society in general, and how we can include neurodiversity more in society.
"The Economic Case for LGBT Equality" by M. V. Lee Badgett
Homophobia and transphobia aren't just hurting LGBTQ communities, they're harming the economy, according to M. V. Lee Badgett, professor of economics and the former director of the School of Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In her book, Badgett uses data to show how equality is good for businesses, communities, and economies.
"We're All in This Together," by Mike Robbins
Leadership consultant Mike Robbins calls on leaders to break their silence on diversity and inclusion in the workspace, saying, "We can no longer opt out of addressing these things, even though they can often be confusing, uncomfortable, and difficult."
Citing research, Robbins says tackling inclusion head on will make teams work more productively, boosting a company's bottom line.
Robbins has given leadership trainings on topics including diversity and inclusion at companies like Google, Wells Fargo, Gap, and Microsoft.