Recommended reading
Article Type: Recommended reading From: Strategic HR Review, Volume 8, Issue 1
What If? Short Stories to Spark Diversity DialogueSteve L. RobbinDavies-Black PublishingISBN: 978-0-89106-275-2
Author Steve L. Robbins, PhD, draws on his experience as a Vietnamese immigrant and of dealing with the challenges of poverty, discrimination and the tough streets of Los Angeles in his approach to diversity and inclusion. This book includes 26 stories that illustrate diversity and inclusion concepts and are mostly drawn from his own experience. This results in a lively, inspiring and sometimes deeply personal approach to his topic as he uses the art of storytelling as a teaching and learning technique for examining the human experience.
Throughout Robbins prompts the reader to ask “What if … .?”,as part of his wider drive to encourage people to have “crucial conversations” – discussions from which people often shy away as they can cause discomfort. He sees a new generation emerging that is unable to have those conversations and views diversity purely as something to celebrate. If discussions become uncomfortable, for example, addressing racism, sexism and other forms of exclusion, he believes this new generation does not have the will or ability to have a constructive conversation.
The book provides a context around which these conversations can be structured. Each chapter ends with questions, an activity and an assignment designed to inspire the reader to be more open-minded and inclusive and to discover how the ideas in the book might be applied in daily life, both at home and at work. The chapters are divided into four sections – Reframing the world, Revising mental models, Leading and doing, and Changing the organization. Many of the stories go beyond diversity and inclusion to also address concepts such as leadership, mentoring, creativity, innovation, engagement and culture– elements that can help build a productive workforce.
Robbins puts forward suggestions in the Introduction on how organizations can use the stories productively and proactively and the book would be a useful tool for HR professionals looking to add purpose and structure to diversity and inclusion dialogue or to kick start conversations in this area.
Sara NolanEditor, Strategic HR Review
