Belonging: The Key to Transforming and Maintaining Diversity, Inclusion and Equality at Work

Description

"The most important business book of the year" - Esquire There's never been more discussion around diversity and inclusion in the workplace. From gender pay gaps and the #MeToo movement to Black Lives Matter, it seems that every organization has finally recognised that lasting change needs to happen. Various studies show that the most successful and productive senior management teams are those which are truly diverse and eclectic. Yet there remains only 8 female CEOs of FTSE 100 boards, and only 10 BAME people working in leadership roles across companies in the FTSE 100. While there has been a clear shift in attitudes, actual progress towards more inclusive workspaces has been excruciatingly slow and, in some cases, has grinded to a halt. Following extensive research and interviews at over 200 international businesses, Kathryn Jacob, Sue Unerman and Mark Edwards have discovered one major problem that is holding back the move towards greater diversity: why aren't the men getting involved? Most men are not engaged with D&I initiatives in the workplace - at one extreme they may be feeling actively hostile and threatened by the changing cultural landscape. But others may be unmotivated to change - recognising the abstract benefits of diversity but not realising what's in it for them. The time for change is long past. Belonging ?is the call to action we need today--the tool to turn the men in power into allies as we battle discrimination, harassment, pay gaps, and structural racism and patriarchy at every level of the workplace. The lessons in this book will help us work together to build a better workplace where everyone feels they belong.

Sue Unerman is Chief Transformation Officer at MediaCom, the largest media agency in the UK with over 200 clients. She is also the co-author of the bestselling book, The Glass Wall. Kathryn Jacob OBE is CEO of Pearl and Dean, a cinema advertising company and co-author of the bestselling book, The Glass Wall. Mark Edwards is a Sunday Times journalist and qualified mindfulness coach who trains businesses in diversity and inclusion as well as leadership.

If there was a time for Belonging, then it is now. This book not only underscores the need and importance of diversity but also makes the case that diversity is not just a 'nice to have' endeavour but a true competitive edge that allows companies to unleash innovation, employee joy, corporate reputation and value creation. -- Rishad Tobaccowala, author of Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in the Age of Data At a time when things need to change, and change fast, the authors of Belonging have written a new guidebook for running businesses today. Current leaders - and those who hope to become leaders - will gain critical and actionable insights on diversity and inclusion from this important book. -- Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO, iHeartMedia, Inc. Creating a sense of belonging should be a priority for every leader. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in creating happier, more productive and more effective workplaces. -- Tanya Joseph, Managing Director at Hill+Knowlton Strategies Belonging is full of brilliantly practical advice for anyone who is seeking to improve the culture of their team or business. It should be required reading for first time managers to FTSE 100 CEOs. -- Josh Graff, UK Country Manager & Vice President, Marketing Solutions EMEA & LATAM, LinkedIn Written by a triumvirate of serious leadership thinkers who understand and practice the value - and values - of equality diversity and inclusion; and can evidence the tangible business benefits of Belonging from their own direct experience. -- Stevie Spring CBE, Chairman, British Council Belonging, as the title suggests, is a book for everyone. It confronts the elephant in the room - that many men feel personally under threat as a result of the diversity conversation - with empathy, tact and practical advice on how businesses can work to achieve a truly inclusive environment. Read it! -- Larissa Vince, CEO, Now Advertising Urgent, important and compelling; Belonging leads us into the next frontier of diversity and inclusion. It proves that "belonging" is the most powerful proof of diversity being recognized and valued in a way that emboldens us all to reclaim the power of being labelled as different. -- Harjot Singh, Chief Strategy Officer, McCann Worldgroup Europe & UK Belonging is an important book for anyone who wants to attract and keep diverse talent. It is full of new voices describing the experience of being different and unable to fully participate and contribute at work. It has practical advice that any one of us could implement the next day to make ourselves more aware and inclusive. If you want to stop just talking about inclusion and start doing something about it - this is the book for you. -- Jan Gooding, former Chair, Stonewall Belonging never forgets that diversity is not a problem to be solved but an opportunity to be grasped. It's essential reading for anyone who wants to take diversity in their organization from fine words to reality. -- Mark Thompson, former president and CEO, NYT Belonging takes a complex and often uncomfortable subject and makes it truly accessible and absolutely achievable by weaving real stories, sharp analysis and practical, business-ready solutions. Whether on day 1 of your career or a 30 year veteran of your profession, buy this book and create the change your organisation, and the world, needs. -- Sarah Jenkins, Managing Director, Saatchi & Saatchi A real roadmap oozing with intelligent, tried and tested success strategies that can be implemented right away is just what I would expect from three of the brightest minds in the business. Belonging is a must read for anyone interested in inclusion and self-fulfilment at work - it's honest, practical and really could not have come at a better time, when the need to change culture is urgent and small, incremental shifts just won't cut it. -- Leila Siddiqi, Associate Director, Diversity, IPA From the CEO with diversity newly on their agenda to the leader shaping their company culture, Belonging is a must-read. The trio has looked in-depth at real people's experiences and uncovered practical steps to cultivate more welcoming environments and encourage people from entry-level to the C-suite to bring their authentic selves to work and thrive. -- Dorothy Burwell, Partner, Finsbury