Getting to Diversity

Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev upended the conventional wisdom of diversity and inclusion practitioners with their seminal article 'Why Diversity Programs Fail.' Now they're back with a data-driven book about one of corporate America's most pressing contemporary issues, offering up required reading that is certain to shift the paradigm once again. Bottom line: Firms can't outlaw bias, but they can make real systems change to achieve better representation and inclusion--change the system to install better inputs if you're serious about improving outputs.--Ben-Saba Hasan, Global Chief Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, Walmart Inc. Getting to Diversity makes good on the promise of its title. Years of research by Dobbin and Kalev have yielded concrete answers to questions about what is needed to achieve diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforces. Among the critical solutions they offer are ways to end sexual harassment and to democratize leadership opportunities--both keys to systemic, lasting, positive reform. The case for diversity and inclusion has been well established, and this book shows leaders how they can realize change.--Anita Hill, University Professor, Brandeis University, and author of Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence Most companies say they want to advance diversity and equity, but they resort to using the same old unsuccessful strategies. In many cases, this is undoubtedly because leaders are uncertain about which approaches really work. Fortunately, Dobbin and Kalev have written an accessible, engaging book that documents which initiatives actually help organizations better reflect the diverse society in which we live--so if you don't know, now you know! Getting to Diversity is the book all leaders need to read to achieve results.--Adia Wingfield, Washington University in St. Louis