Cover Image: The Diversity Gap

The Diversity Gap

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Member Reviews

I was so enthusiastic to read this authors thoughts on The Diversity Gap, being part of a minority group in my workplace myself, however I didn't quite vibe with the writing style and the thoughts that seemed to jump around quite a bit. Perhaps I'll let the thoughts rest for a bit and then try reread it and I might have a different opinion.

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interesting and insightful book - the author discussed interesting statistics which I had not heard before!

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As a manager in a very undiverse work area, I took great interest in this book. I gained knowledge of how to better support employees from diverse backgrounds & mistakes to watch for. I will be recommending this to my employees.

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Bethaney Wilkinson's "The Diversity Gap" is a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges and opportunities that come with fostering truly inclusive and diverse environments. With grace and clarity, Wilkinson delves into this complex topic, demonstrating her heartfelt commitment to change on every page.

The book is a shining example that highlights the often-overlooked disparities in organizations, with a focus on practical solutions. Wilkinson's approach is not only descriptive but prescriptive, making this book an invaluable resource for those seeking meaningful change, whether as individuals or within organizations.

Wilkinson's insightful analysis is backed by robust data, but it is her storytelling skills that bring the numbers to life. Every chapter is filled with personal narratives and poignant examples, making for a relatable and authentic discussion.

What sets "The Diversity Gap" apart is its central premise - the 'diversity gap' itself. Wilkinson argues that good intentions alone are insufficient and that diversity efforts often falter due to the gap between intention and action.

Despite tackling a serious topic, Wilkinson's writing style is engaging and accessible, ensuring readers are enlightened without feeling overwhelmed. Her discussion of diversity not only highlights problems but also fosters a dialogue that propels us toward solutions.

Overall, "The Diversity Gap" is a brave, insightful, and necessary addition to the discourse on diversity. Its authentic insights, well-researched analysis, and actionable steps make it a must-read for anyone seeking to make a difference as a leader or an individual.

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This is one of the most helpful anti-racism books I've read. It explains white supremacy and unintentional racism perfectly and helps you realize when you may uphold these habits, whether you mean to or not. It also gives ways to fight these habits and be an ally to people of color.

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I appreciate the digital copy of this book and there were a number of takeaways I had from it. As a leader in the corporate community, I’m looking to learn more about DEI with specific takeaway and action items that I can implement with my teams. I think this book provided some good insights and takeaways for those of us really looking to learn and incorporate. I thought the real life scenarios provided were insightful and a good complement to the framework provided.

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Thanks for NetGalley for providing this ARC!

I’m a little late as I was busy with other books but this book is more for a reference for future leaders and for those who feel excluded in the workplaces or even as the only personof color in it. I suggest to read other books and have great belief.

I don’t agree with everything in this book including taking responsibility as 1 person when to move a place or to influence you need more than one. I like this book regardless and will be on my list for reference and guide to further reading.

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This book is a must have tool in the belt of anyone out to make cultural change within their organization. This book gives concrete steps to anyone that wants to align their intentions and their impact. Race and cultural supremacy are tough evils to tackle. I used this book a lot in my company and it was so important! Everybody need to read it! Its necessary.

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As an effective leader, there are certain books that should be a part of a leader's repertoire. The Diversity Gap is one of those books. Bethaney Wilkinson did an excellent job covering these tough topics associated with diversity-related issues. Using her own personal experience of often being the only minority in the room, she has valuable insight for leaders. In addition to the topics, she lays out action plans for leaders to use as they navigate diversity issues within the organization.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book. I enjoyed reading it.

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Many leaders have good intentions regarding organizational diversity, but few are able to effectively execute on them. Wilkinson, a racial justice facilitator, wrote The Diversity Gap in an effort to help leaders understand why. She examines how systemic oppression, a direct result of long-ingrained white supremacy, has created an environment that inherently disadvantages minorities. Leaders who are committed to establishing a truly diverse workplace culture understand this is not possible without dignity for every member of the organization. When each person has the freedom to be their true self without the fear of being judged by their identity, they can produce their best work.

Wilkinson creates a powerful narrative to illustrate the constant psychological stresses of minority individuals trying to function in a majority-white organization. She accomplishes this by sharing her own experiences as a young black woman, along with those of other diverse individuals. The appendixes include worthwhile information, such as a self-assessment and suggested strategies for pursuing organizational diversity. The Diversity Gap is a valuable read for all leaders, regardless of background, who want to drive their organizations to allow all members to thrive as equals.

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4.5
Firstly, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher who granted me an ARC.

This book was in one word, an "eye-opener". I'm neither white nor live in a majority-white country, but as Bethany Wilkinson mentioned herself, we don't have to be white to adapt the white-supremacist culture and submit to its values.
It helped me better understand how my people and I, as middle-easterners, have been holding many parts of the white-supremacist culture as our core values.

I'm not a leader of any sort yet, but I plan to be one in the years ahead. The Diversity Gap expanded my view and warned me of the mistakes I might've made when I finally did become a leader.

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This fully evolved power packed book takes the impact of the diversity gap to deeper and elevated levels giving us all greater insight covering what the reality of the gap means. Bethaney candidly walks the reader through what this looks like, the outcome of shutting down or silencing voices “counternarratives” and the cost to companies, organisations and wider society upon persons who are not white and themselves as corporate, government or not for profit entities . Readers gain a deeper insight of being “mansplained”, ignored or dehumanised i.e. when told racism or white supremacy is not within an organisation which actually sustains the status quo of racism, supremacy.

We are shown in clear language the pitfalls that companies commit when they take reactionary measures, that are shallow, short-termist, are openly resistant or silent by no action and the reputational impact upon ‘them/profits’, employees, stakeholders and customers by a myriad of examples.

Bethaney asks leaders, changemakers and do gooders to check their motivators; that they are indeed beneficial, when some are woefully not or draw the weaponised attack of being too woke.

Leaders and those tasked with Organisational culture or transformative change are given various toolkits that can be used to foster the diversity conversations and commitments. Plus good insight covering what actions, habits exist by those who are employees of a company who have not bought into the transformative diversity conversation; reasons why and what may be done to mitigate against this.

Discussed also throughout the book are new layers, thoughts of intersectionality within organisations. The reminder of barriers or privileges humans face in this space. How leaders and changemakers within their own little or vast area of influence can drive the agenda of diversity change. Thus impacting wider company, department relationships with investors, donors, clients and customers.

The reader is given concise toolkits on what leaders, changemakers could do and how; whether it’s with disrupting the normal recruitment hiring or retention cycle, setting up employee networks, equipping others who are leaders to hold difficult or tricky conversations, to creating learning programs.

This is a neat useful book for leaders and people who want to make meaningful culture change that has a diverse lens inside organisations, local communities, without having to read a vast number of books and research.

This book does have a US slant but still useful for those within none American geographics.

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The Diversity Gap is a wonderful resource for leaders, employees, and humans - it provides real-life examples, lived experiences, and advice on how to work towards dismantling systemic racism within organizations and in your own personal life.

Do not go into this book expecting it to have all the answers. Every situation is different and unique, organizations can be large or small. What I appreciated the most was the honesty about how closing the diversity gap is such important work and an ongoing journey, with a possibility of leading to very small change. This book helps frame the conversations you should be having, the allyship you should be providing to your diverse colleagues, and the unconscious biases you should be aware of.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

i never know how to review non-ficiton and self-help books but i can confidently say this was a great read for me as someone who is interested in leadership positions. i appreciate what the author has mentioned and filled the gap with, diversity should be more incorporated and acknowledged in the workplace and this book does a great job, in my opinion, of articulating that.

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This is one solid book for future leaders who wants to diversify their organization.This book addresses the key issues and parts where most people go wrong without their knowledge.
The struggles faced by people of color, white supremacy are discussed in detail - by comprehending the life experiences of people who faced discrimination in their organization.
With the urge to achieve diversity , we have raised our voice against #blacklives matter,but we are we now? It makes us question is it just the heat of the wave? shortlived urgency dies , but long term effort like holding up trainings, workshops, strategies, liberation framework, conference with our employees with their own will(please don’t mandate) makes the organization more diverse and welcoming. This book make us to think how sometimes we need to decenter to get the real perspective , throws light on the places where we missed to see, discusses in detail how diversity gap can be filled with the key points like Diversity,Inclusion, Reconciliation,liberation,culture of future

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Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a great read for any and everyone in a leadership position. As some one who has done multiple leadership training, the topic of diversity is not talked about. The information that the author provides with examples and the resources starts to fill the gap in knowledge not provided in trainings.

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The Diversity Gap is a fantastic resource for anyone in leadership positions. The book is full of information, but is also easy to read and apply to any position. The author uses a mix of research, information and stories to get the ideas across. I also appreciated the additional resources provided at the end of the book.

One quote that stuck out to me: "No one is asking you to be perfect. We are asking you to get uncomfortable, be creative, take some risks, and show up with consistency. Action: Do your work."

A must read for anyone who supervises or works in the non-profit/education field.

4.5 rounded up

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an advance copy for review!

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