Ten Best Books On Building Workplace Diversity And Inclusion

Workplace diversity has now become a critical issue locally but getting more attention globally too. Companies valuing inclusion and diversity can encourage a better talent pool to join them. This means that these businesses nurture innovation, retain their best human resources, and build a healthy workplace culture. The following ten books will provide guidelines to help improve workplace diversity and manage complex matters.

Ruchika Tulshyan's “The Diversity Advantage: Addressing Gender Inequality in the Workplace”

Ruchika Tulshyan explores the challenges women face in the workplace in this groundbreaking book, “The Diversity Advantage.” She offers practical advice to nurture a more inclusive and equal workplace. Her advice ranges from gender disparity resolutions according to her experiences because she is also a woman of color in the tech industry. It also includes perspectives from other women she spoke to.

Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji’s “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People”

Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald are renowned psychologists who explore unconscious biases that impact actions and perceptions in their book “Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People.” The best part of the book is the strategies the authors provide for noticing and overcoming such biases. Such methods can bring in more diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

Mark Kaplan and Mason Donovan's “The Inclusion Dividend: Why Investing in Diversity & Inclusion Pays Off”

“The Inclusion Dividend” by Mark Kaplan and Mason Donovan discusses how inclusion and diversity are morally and ethically appropriate as well as financially viable. The title shows how much diversity and inclusion can offer in the form of a solid ROI (return on investment). Mark and Mason strongly contend that diversity and inclusion are excellent for businesses and provide practical solutions to nurture an inclusive work culture that is mutually beneficial to businesses and employees.

Mark Kaplan and Mason Donovan contend that diversity and inclusion are not just the morally correct thing to do but also the financially prudent thing to do in their book "The Inclusion Dividend." The book makes a case for diversity and inclusion from a business perspective and offers doable solutions for fostering an inclusive workplace that benefits both workers and the bottom line.

Bernardo M. Ferdman and Barbara R. Deane's “Diversity at Work: The Practice of Inclusion”

Bernardo M. Ferdman and Barbara R. Deane offer a comprehensive guide to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming workplace culture in their book “Diversity at Work.” The strategies are all helpful in creating positivity in the workplace, with excellent ideas to deal with challenges like unconscious prejudice, cultural competence, and effective communication.

Erin Meyer's “The Culture Map: Crossing the Invisible Barriers of Global Business”

In “The Culture Map: Crossing the Invisible Barriers of Global Business,” Erin Meyer explores the impact of cultural differences in professional exchanges. Furthermore, it offers excellent strategies for dealing with these discrepancies. This book gives insight into the cultural practices and norms of different countries and regions to help readers build a workplace based on healthy coexistence and mutual respect.

Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler's “Crucial Conversations: Strategies for Communicating When Stakes Are High.”

Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler’s book “Crucial Conversations: Strategies for Communicating When Stakes Are High” is an excellent resource for dealing with complex and sensitive topics. When discussing workplace diversity and inclusion issues, the authors provide the right tips to maintain focus and composure in high-stakes discussions.

Nilofer Merchant's “The Power of Onlyness: Make Your Crazy Ideas Strong Enough to Dent the World”

“The Power of Onlyness” by Nilofer Merchant is a book that explains how each individual has a discrete opinion and experiences, and these can be used to cultivate change. Through this book, you can understand how you can use inclusion and diversity to positively impact your business on all levels.

Robin DiAngelo's “White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Speak About Racism”

“White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo explores how white people find it challenging to engage in discussions on racism and offers advice on overcoming these hurdles. It helps build racial awareness, empathy and how white power and privilege can impact our actions and perceptions.

Richard Rothstein's “The Color of Law: A Lost History of How Our Government Segregated America”

In his book “The Color of Law: A Lost History of How Our Government Segregated America,” Richard Rothstein provides a complete history of the government’s actions and their impacts on racial segregation in the United States. It gives strong arguments on how systematic racism has affected society and makes a strong case for developing equitable and inclusive communities.

Mary-Frances Winters' book “We Can't Speak About That at Work! How to Talk About Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Issues”

“We Can't Speak About That at Work! How to Talk About Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Issues” by Mary-Frances Winters offers beneficial advice for managing challenging conversations on sensitive issues at work. The strategies in this book will help build a diverse and welcoming workplace where every voice is heard and acted on.

All ten books mentioned here are excellent, insightful, and helpful in their own way. Companies can learn from these books and start building a diverse and inclusive workplace. They will reap the benefits of this in no time!

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