9 workplace diversity books to read in 2022

Businesses that practice diversity and inclusion see several advantages, including creating a sense of belonging among employees as more people want to end bias in the workplace.

Creating a D&I initiative is one way for organizations to address equality in the workplace, but creating this plan takes strategic planning and consideration. Companies need to measure their diversity initiatives for effectiveness and continue to embrace this environment beyond the hiring process.

Another benefit to a diverse and inclusive business culture is increased revenue. Ethnically and culturally diverse companies were 36% more likely to report higher profit, and gender-diverse companies were 25% more likely to report higher profit, according to a report from McKinsey & Company.

Here are nine books to check out to begin a diversity initiative and promote inclusion within a company.

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1. All Are Welcome

Publisher: McGraw Hill

Author: Cynthia Owyoung

Description: All Are Welcome discusses diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) initiatives beyond hiring staff. This book talks about what works along with what doesn't. Learn how to retain talent, break old habits, conduct an audit of the company's current DEIB state, and measure progress with both quantitative and qualitative data.

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2. Designing Exceptional Organizational Cultures

Publisher: Kogan Page

Authors: Jamie Jacobs and Hema Crockett

Description: Designing Exceptional Organizational Cultures discusses how to build and encourage an inclusive culture for employee and business success. This book addresses how to have a committed workforce by creating a culture where people can develop and perform to their full potential through engagement, reward, motivation and diversity.

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3. Diversity and Inclusion Matters

Publisher: Wiley

Author: Jason R. Thompson

Description: Diversity and Inclusion Matters provides a handbook to create and implement a D&I plan. This plan introduces the author's created technique -- collect, analyze, plan and execute (CAPE) -- with a blueprint to create a successful diversity program. The CAPE technique also helps organizations track the success of diversity programs and show progress as changes are implemented.

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4. Everyone Included

Publisher: Pearson

Author: Helen May

Description: Everyone Included addresses D&I with a step-by-step approach to creating a plan to foster a sense of belonging within an organization. This book outlines how to address an organization's current profile on inclusion to see where improvements can be made. It also discusses what metrics to use to track the plan effectiveness.

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5. The Financial Times Guide to Inclusion and Diversity

Publisher: Pearson

Author: Vikki Leach

Description: The Financial Times Guide to Inclusion and Diversity addresses how organizations can take a fair and equal business approach to design their D&I strategy. Geared toward senior leadership, this book discusses how to link the D&I strategy to business goals and measure ROI.

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6. How to Be an Ally

Publisher: McGraw Hill

Author: Melinda Briana Epler

Description: How to Be an Ally takes a personal approach to show how leaders can take responsibility to lead change across an organization. Learn how allyship can build knowledge and skills, while learning new perspectives and identifying biases. This book humanizes diversity into a greater sense of empathy and understanding to create a balance for a better workplace.

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7. Inclusalytics

Publisher: Mattingly Solutions

Authors: Victoria Mattingly, Sertrice Grice and Allison Goldstein

Description: Inclusalytics shares stories from the authors' consulting experience, along with interviews with diversity, equity and inclusion leaders from companies of all sizes, and uses data to show how to lead successful D&I programs. This book provides business leaders with a detailed process to make sure all employees can thrive within the organization.

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8. Inclusive Leadership

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group

Editors: Bernardo M. Ferdman, Jeanine Prime and Ronald E. Riggio

Description: Inclusive Leadership explores the role of leaders at all levels in promoting diversity in business and society. This book addresses how leaders and HR employees can effectively promote innovation and enhance team performance through an inclusive culture. Using extensive research, experience and theories, readers learn the benefits of inclusion at the team, organizational and social levels.

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