We Cant Talk about That at Work! A Guide for Bold, Inclusive Conversations: How to Talk about Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics (AGENCY/DISTRIBUTED) - Softcover

Winters

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1523094265 ISBN 13: 9781523094264

Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2017

Synopsis

We Need to Talk!

Conversations about taboo topics happen at work every day. And if they aren't handled effectively, they can become polarizing and divisive, impacting productivity, engagement, retention, teamwork, and even employees' sense of safety in the workplace.

In this concise and powerful book, Mary-Frances Winters shows how to deal with sensitive subjects in a way that brings people together instead of driving them apart. She helps you become aware of the role culture plays in shaping people's perceptions, habits, and communication styles and gives detailed guidance for structuring conversations about those things we're not supposed to talk about.

Preparation is crucial--but so is intent. Winters advises you to "come from your heart, learn from your mistakes, and continue to contribute to making this a more inclusive world for all."

About this title

Review:

"Given all the external influences that ultimately impact how we show up in our personal and professional lives, it's important that we, as organizations and leaders, encourage open dialogue and a safe space to engage. This book provides everything you need to do just that."
--Rohini Anand, PhD, Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, and Global Chief Diversity Officer, Sodexo

"This is the book we have been waiting for. Read it, learn from it, acquire the skills described in it. And then with courage, patience, and practice, you will be prepared to have those difficult but necessary conversations in your workplace."
--Johnnetta Betsch Cole, PhD, President Emerita, Spelman College and Bennett College

"Mary-Frances Winters has done it again! Her real-life examples are compelling, and her 'best practices' can have an immediate impact on everyone who reads her book."
--Mitchell R. Hammer, PhD, President, Intercultural Development Inventory, LLC; Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory, LLC; and Safe Dialogue, LLC

"I'm very excited about the release of We Can't Talk about That at Work! The issue of discussing polarizing topics at work is a really tough one. People are not comfortable having uncomfortable conversations. I'm happy that there will finally be a resource to guide us all on how to get comfortable being uncomfortable."
--Michele C. Meyer-Shipp, Esq., Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Prudential Financial, Inc.

"This book is a comprehensive, practical, and highly accessible tool for empowering people to have the brave conversations that are needed in these tumultuous times. Mary-Frances has given readers an invaluable resource for organizations and individuals to navigate the charged times that we live in and make a contribution toward cocreating a more compassionate future."
--Nene Molefi, diversity and inclusion thought leader and CEO, Mandate Molefi

"Mary-Frances Winters's wisdom shines throughout this book. She helps us understand deeply why we need to talk about polarizing topics--yes, at work--and then proceeds to show us how with care, concern, and compassion for those who may not agree with us. I hope that all leaders and employees read it and implement her wise suggestions and counsel."
--Julie O'Mara, coauthor of Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks and other inclusion works and Past-President, American Society for Training & Development (now ATD)

"We are living in times of crisis. Day after day, we are confronted with polarization about issues of real import to our society and our world that can seem difficult, if not impossible, to talk about. And yet this is not a time for timidity. We must talk about these issues if we are going to cross the great divides in our ideologies and exist together in civil society. Mary-Frances Winters has created an extremely helpful guide for better understanding and navigating those difficult conversations. Be bold--use this book!"
--Howard Ross, founder and Chief Learning Officer, Cook Ross

"We Can't Talk about That at Work! has hit the mark. This body of work is critically important to advancing inclusion and dialogue in our workplaces. As we work diligently to increase our diversity, we struggle with inclusion and having the difficult conversations about the various aspects of diversity. Now, we have a road map and tools to support diversity professionals, leaders, and employees in any work environment. This will be the book used by all."
--Darlene Slaughter, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, United Way Worldwide

"In the current global political and --Andrés Tapia, Senior Client Partner and Global Practice Leader, Workforce Performance, Inclusion and Diversity, Korn Ferry Hay Group, and author of The Inclusion Paradox

About the Author:

As founder and president of the Winters Group, Mary-Frances Winters has been helping clients create inclusive environments for over three decades. She was named a diversity pioneer by Profiles in Diversity Journal and is the recipient of the prestigious Athena Award, as well as the Winds of Change Award conferred by the Forum on Workplace Inclusion.

About this edition

• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1523094265
• ISBN 13: 9781523094264
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 184