Leaders need to be more inclusive especially as the workforce continues to operate in a remote/hybrid environment. There are numerous factors that leaders and managers need to balance: supporting unique professional styles, empowering minority individuals, and creating spaces where employees can be their authentic selves while balancing their day-to-day responsibilities.

So whether you are pushing yourself to read more in 2022, looking for a recommendation for book club, or wanting to pick up a new book to give yourself a break from screens, here is a list of 10 books for leaders who are focused on creating positive and inclusive workplaces or individuals who are passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion: 

1) How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive by Jennifer Brown

Jennifer Brown shares tips and tricks for how leaders can drive real change and foster an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

2) We Can’t Talk About That at Work! How to Talk about Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics by Mary-Frances Winters

We’ve all heard the expression about not talking about politics and religion at the dinner table during Thanksgiving but what if we could have these conversations in the workplace? Mary-Frances Winters shows us that we can have intentional conversations even if the topics are controversial.

3) Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace by W. Brad Johnson and David G Smith

Men have a crucial role in promoting and improving gender equality at work. This book is a great read for male-identifying individuals or leaders who want to empower women in their organizations but may not know what steps to take.

4) The Loudest Duck: Moving Beyond Diversity while Embracing Differences to Achieve Success at Work by Laura Liswood

Individuals within the workplace need to be celebrated for their unique perspectives. This book is for any manager, team leader, or employee who wants to promote diversity efforts within their organizations so that they can become more successful and profitable

5) Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging to Build Innovative Teams by Stefanie K. Johnson

All humans have a desire to fit in and belong so how can organizations celebrate individuality while balancing the feeling of belonging? Stefanie Johnson defines what it means to “inclusify”, which is an effort for diverse teams to feel engaged, empowered, accepted, appreciated, and valued.

6) The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace by Lindsey Pollak

How can current and future leaders and managers balance the needs of Baby Boomers, Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z in the workplace? This book depicts today’s multigenerational workplace and how executives, managers, and employees can thrive working together while understanding each generations’ attitudes, expectations, and professional styles.

7) The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts

Most business books focus on career advice that overlooks the unique experiences of minority individuals in the workplace. Minda Hards unpacks the “ugly truths” or the unique barriers that women of color face; this is a read for leaders and managers who want to support women in the workplace and empower them to secure a seat at the table.

8) Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces by Karen Catlin

Employees are asking how they can play a role in building an inclusive workplace, and one secret is practicing active allyship. This book is a great read for individuals who are looking for ways to be an ally in the workplace but aren’t sure what actionable steps to take. 

9) Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald

As humans, we all have hidden biases that we carry from a lifetime of exposure to attitudes about age, gender, race, religion, social class, sexuality, ethnicity, etc. In this book, the authors unpack how our hidden biases can have an impact on our likes, dislikes, judgements, and maybe actions even in ways we may not realize.

10) 35 Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say: Surprising Things We Say that Widen the Diversity Gap by Maura Cullen

There are words or phrases that we use in our day to day that can actually cause harm, even if we don’t intend. Such words or statements can result in building a divide between the people we regularly interact with. This is a great book about the power of language, and we can learn how to be more conscious of the words we use in our daily lives.

We hope that you find this list helpful and that you bring the lessons you learn into your organizations. But we know that reading is one way of learning how to foster inclusive work environments. We also encourage you to have conversations within your organizations about how leaders need to be inclusive and hold discussions on how to create inclusive and equitable workplaces for all employees.

Leaders need to be more inclusive especially as the workforce continues to operate in a remote/hybrid environment. There are numerous factors that leaders and managers need to balance: supporting unique professional styles, empowering minority individuals, and creating spaces where employees can be their authentic selves while balancing their day-to-day responsibilities.

So whether you are pushing yourself to read more in 2022, looking for a recommendation for book club, or wanting to pick up a new book to give yourself a break from screens, here is a list of 10 books for leaders who are focused on creating positive and inclusive workplaces or individuals who are passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion: 

1) How to Be an Inclusive Leader: Your Role in Creating Cultures of Belonging Where Everyone Can Thrive by Jennifer Brown
Jennifer Brown shares tips and tricks for how leaders can drive real change and foster an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

2) We Can’t Talk About That at Work! How to Talk about Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics by Mary-Frances Winters
We’ve all heard the expression about not talking about politics and religion at the dinner table during Thanksgiving but what if we could have these conversations in the workplace? Mary-Frances Winters shows us that we can have intentional conversations even if the topics are controversial.

3) Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace by W. Brad Johnson and David G Smith
Men have a crucial role in promoting and improving gender equality at work. This book is a great read for male-identifying individuals or leaders who want to empower women in their organizations but may not know what steps to take.

4) The Loudest Duck: Moving Beyond Diversity while Embracing Differences to Achieve Success at Work by Laura Liswood
Individuals within the workplace need to be celebrated for their unique perspectives. This book is for any manager, team leader, or employee who wants to promote diversity efforts within their organizations so that they can become more successful and profitable

5) Inclusify: The Power of Uniqueness and Belonging to Build Innovative Teams by Stefanie K. Johnson
All humans have a desire to fit in and belong so how can organizations celebrate individuality while balancing the feeling of belonging? Stefanie Johnson defines what it means to “inclusify”, which is an effort for diverse teams to feel engaged, empowered, accepted, appreciated, and valued.

6) The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace by Lindsey Pollak
How can current and future leaders and managers balance the needs of Baby Boomers, Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z in the workplace? This book depicts today’s multigenerational workplace and how executives, managers, and employees can thrive working together while understanding each generations’ attitudes, expectations, and professional styles.

7) The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts
Most business books focus on career advice that overlooks the unique experiences of minority individuals in the workplace. Minda Hards unpacks the “ugly truths” or the unique barriers that women of color face; this is a read for leaders and managers who want to support women in the workplace and empower them to secure a seat at the table.

8) Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces by Karen Catlin
Employees are asking how they can play a role in building an inclusive workplace, and one secret is practicing active allyship. This book is a great read for individuals who are looking for ways to be an ally in the workplace but aren’t sure what actionable steps to take. 

9) Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald
As humans, we all have hidden biases that we carry from a lifetime of exposure to attitudes about age, gender, race, religion, social class, sexuality, ethnicity, etc. In this book, the authors unpack how our hidden biases can have an impact on our likes, dislikes, judgements, and maybe actions even in ways we may not realize.

10) 35 Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say: Surprising Things We Say that Widen the Diversity Gap by Maura Cullen
There are words or phrases that we use in our day to day that can actually cause harm, even if we don’t intend. Such words or statements can result in building a divide between the people we regularly interact with. This is a great book about the power of language, and we can learn how to be more conscious of the words we use in our daily lives.


We hope that you find this list helpful and that you bring the lessons you learn into your organizations. But we know that reading is one way of learning how to foster inclusive work environments. We also encourage you to have conversations within your organizations about how leaders need to be inclusive and hold discussions on how to create inclusive and equitable workplaces for all employees.

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This is a list of 10 books for DE&I leaders who want to foster inclusive workplaces or individuals who are passionate about DE&I

10 Books for DE&I Leaders Who Want to Create Equitable and Inclusive Workplaces

Thu Feb 17 2022

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