University of Minnesota - (CEMBA) UMN Executive Leadership Insights
The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders
Book

The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders

Unleashing the Power of All of Us

Andrés Tomás Tapia and Alina Polonskaia
Berrett-Koehler, 2020
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7

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Andrés Tapia and Alina Polonskaia tap into their experience leading corporate diversity programs in this insightful, practical examination of inclusive leaders: those who help build diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace cultures. Based on millions of leader surveys and years of research, they describe the five traits and disciplines inclusive leaders share. As the authors point out, and support with research and data, organizations that implement true diversity and inclusion, outperform those that don’t – both financially and creatively.

Summary

A golden age of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has arrived, but only in words and money.

US firms currently spend $8 billion each year on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), hiring chief diversity officers (CDOs) and DEI teams; but this investment brings scant change. White males still dominate in many sectors, including nonprofits, and hold the vast majority of senior executive and board positions.

The lower end of the workforce may feature more women and people of color, but true inclusiveness – having a voice – lags. Pay and benefit inequities also remain prevalent.  

Peer-reviewed and empirical research demonstrates the links between DEI, higher performance and positive business outcomes. When firms get DEI right, they achieve better financials, greater profitability, more innovation and superior decision-making. People of similar backgrounds, ethnicities, first languages and education experiences work together easily, but not imaginatively.At the same time, organizations cannot simply build diverse workforces and expect excellence. Diversity...

About the Authors

At Korn Ferry Andrés Tapia and Alina Polonskaia lead global diversity and inclusion strategy and client solutions.

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