Reinventing Diversity

November 1, 2011
An appropriate subtitle for this book might be No Easy Answers. Veteran diversity consultant Ross recognizes and well articulates the reasons why inclusion simply hasn't taken root in many corporations as well as the reasons why well-meaning efforts don't work. Many questions are asked here, but few are answered directly; yet the author underscores the fact that the journey to real diversity means listening intently and demonstrating patience, perseverance, and a deeper understanding of all communities involved rather than pretending to know all the answers. Philosophy aside (and there's plenty to ruminate on), Ross shares different frameworks to help drive home a true change in thinking: nine steps to manage unconscious bias, eight basic principles of organizational communities, concentric circles of stakeholder resistance, and more. Architecture alone won't transform an organization into one that's culturally competent. Instead, read his account of a much-needed change at an inner-city midwestern hospital. Then apply his guidelines elsewhere.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)