It's time the business world got the actionable, impactful, no-cost strategies needed to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace
Many white leaders want to create change but don't know how to do so appropriately and effectively. How do you know where the blind spots are that can create obstacles for people of color? Your intentions may be sincere and heartfelt, but intentions aren't enough.
In It's Time to Talk about Race at Work, acclaimed speaker and bestselling author Kelly McDonald delivers a much-needed roadmap for business people. This book will help you successfully create a fair and equitable workplace that recognizes diverse talent and fosters productive and constructive conversations in your organization. It's Time to Talk about Race at Work does not approach diversity from the standpoint of social activism or an HR perspective. Instead, this book shows you exactly what to do and how to do it so that you can make real progress on diversity and inclusion, regardless of the size of your organization. The author's clear, "real talk" style makes it easy to learn:
- The costs and risks you're incurring if your organization lacks diversity
- How people who don't consider themselves to be racist may still have diversity blind spots
- How to start the hard conversations you may not know how to approach
- The STARTING Method - an eight-step framework that shows you how to ensure your diversity and inclusion efforts are effective
- How to recognize the excuses people use to avoid taking action on diversity and inclusion
- How to address the issues and comments that come up when employees feel nervous, resentful, or uncomfortable as you make headway on diversity in your organization
Perfect for executives, managers, and leaders in organizations of all types and sizes, It's Time to Talk about Race at Work is also for employees who want to improve their organization by leading by example.
Table of Contents
PART I If You’re Not Racist, What’s the Problem? The Biggest Mistakes People (and Businesses) Make
Chapter 1 This Book Is for Everyone, but Especially White Readers
Most White people would rather not talk about race
Who this book is for (I’m betting you fall into one of these categories)
What this book is - and isn’t (Hint: It’s not a book about activism or social injustice)
Chapter 2 You’re Not Racist, but You Have Blind Spots
Bias can lead to blind spots
Don’t be defensive: we all have bias - even babies have bias
The weird things we do to justify our business decisions
Chapter 3 The High Cost of Bias: Why All-White or Mostly White Businesses Make Less Money
How one of the biggest (and almost all-White) industries lost customers and revenue - and how they fixed the problem
Signs that your business may be missing out on opportunities
Chapter 4 The Business Case for Diversity
Discover diversity’s “secret sauce” - the one monumental ingredient that makes diversity rock
And what happens when that ingredient is missing
Chapter 5 The Excuses People Use tAvoid Doing Anything about Diversity
“We can’t find any qualified diverse candidates”
“We hire for quality, not for color”
“It would be unfair to more qualified candidate”
“We already know a very good candidate in our network”
“We hired/promoted a diverse person once and they failed”
“Our customers won’t be comfortable with a diverse person”
“Our competitors aren’t diverse either, so it’s not a problem”
“We looked into diversity - it’s too expensive to implement”
Chapter 6 Well-Intentioned Things White People Say That Are Hurtful or Offensive to Others
“I don’t see color/I don’t care what color you are”
“I treat everyone the same”
“I’m not racist or biased”
Three better ways to express that you value diversity and aren’t racist
Chapter 7 Why Your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts Haven’t Done the Job
Five big reasons
At work, the subject of racism has been taboo
Specific ways to start conversations about race with colleagues
In one-on-one conversations
In a meeting
Corporate America gets real and acknowledges failures
Why we have to stop singing “We Are the World” - and be brave enough to use the word racism
PART II How to Talk about Race at Work
Chapter 8 How to Talk about Race in Helpful and Positive Ways: Do’s and Don’ts
EEK! Why is this hard?
Sincerity matters
Don’t apologize for being White, but acknowledge that people of color are often treated differently than Whites in our society
Start small: six ways to start the conversation on the right foot
What to say, what NOT to say - and why
How to handle friction or conflict in constructive ways
How to recover when you’ve blown it unintentionally
Chapter 9 Answers to Tough Employee Questions and Racist Remarks
“Shouldn’t we just hire the most qualified person?”
“All this talk about race - we’re all one race, the human race!”
“I came from nothing and pulled myself up by my bootstraps. None helped me. Why do we need to do something special for minorities?”
What to do if an employee makes a racist statement online
Chapter 10 Where to Start When You Don’t Know Where to Start: Eight Steps to Making Progress on DE&I
Everything you feel comfortable doing is something you had to learn - you can learn how to do this, too
The STARTING Method: Sincerity, Transparency, Acknowledgment, Respect, Tools, Investment, Nurturing Talent, Goals
PART III Making Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Real
Chapter 11 How to Build Business Relationships with People Different Than You
A brewery serves “diversity on tap” - and makes its mark in a non-diverse community
What if I don’t know any people of color?
Truth breeds trust - be upfront and honest about your diversity issues and goals
Show up and help first before you ask for help
Personal contact, interaction, and conversations bring about more behavior and attitude change than training
Chapter 12 What to Do If You See or Hear Casual Racism or Sexism at Work
Doing nothing creates one of two kinds of guilt
Personal guilt
Collective guilt - this one is worse
The bystander effect
Five effective tactics tuse, whether you’re the target or a bystander
Chapter 13 Recruiting and Interviewing Diverse Candidates
Eliminate inherent bias
Stop “picturing” your ideal candidate
Rewrite your job descriptions to remove bias
Do’s and don’ts for writing more inclusive job descriptions
How to find diverse talent - six effective no-cost/low-cost tactics
How to interview diverse candidates - six best practices
Chapter 14 Mentoring, Networking, and Checking In: Three Big Ways You Can Help Your Diverse Employees Succeed
It’s not coddling - it’s your job
Their success is your success
Your support is not favoritism: four reasons why it’s fair
Your advocacy can be a game-changer
PART IV Lead Your Colleagues, Customers, Partners, and Employees
Chapter 15 The Leader’s Role: Guiding and Setting the Example
If you are a White male in a leadership role, you can have a greater impact than anyone
Your views on diversity are seen as “neutral” and credible (not so for women and minorities)
Here’s your chance to make a real difference
Lead by example - walk the talk
It starts with naming the elephant in the room - if you can’t do it, who can?
Foster safe discussion of touchy issues by modeling how to address them head-on
What to say when horrific and racist things happen in the world - eight do’s and don’ts
Chapter 16 Reducing Tokenism and Bias: Give Your Diverse Employees and Suppliers a Genuine Seat at the Table
Five do’s and don’ts for avoiding tokenism in hiring
Two key steps to avoid tokenism in professional development and promotions
Chapter 17 Dealing with Naysayers and Derailers
Three ways to deal with naysayers
The different types of derailers and their motivations
You can change the people - or “change the people”
Chapter 18 You’re Not Finished. Keep Trying. Keep Evolving.
Worst thing you can do: “launch and abandon”
Do’s & don’ts for maintaining traction
Assess progress/address problems
Don’t be afraid to refine it along the way
Expect to educate/and repeat/and repeat
Keep your ear to the ground/listen to the hallway chatter
Celebrate success
Set new goals and strategies to strengthen ongoing efforts
Appendix Helpful Terms and Resources
Helpful Terms
BIPOC
DE&I
Definitions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
LGBTQ+
POC
Structural Racism
Systemic Racism
White Privilege
Helpful Resources
Best Job Boards for Diversity and Inclusion
HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Diversity
LinkedIn’s Diversity Recruiting Guide
Energetic Awakenings
