Actions Speak Louder

February 28, 2022
It’s one thing to post inclusivity-forward social media posts and quite another to work meaningfully toward a diverse and equitable workplace, argues Singh (A Smart Girl’s Guide), founder of social enterprise organization Flying Elephant, in this refreshing guide. The toll of working in mostly white workplaces can be heavy for employees from marginalized groups, and, as such, it’s up to leadership to do a healthy examination of a company’s inclusivity efforts, Singh writes. To that end, she lays out her “Dinner Table exercise,” in which readers face a list of privileges and circle which apply to them, then “flip them so they can become actionable items that achieve greater inclusivity” in a neighboring column. For example, a leader might use their privilege to “involve people from less welcomed social identity groups, inviting them to social functions” and “centering their opinion during meetings.” Singh also lays out plans for recruiting (aim for higher diversity on the team that writes job descriptions), hiring (try redacted résumés), retention (flexible scheduling helps), and meetings (be mindful of planning). Her advice is concrete and actionable, and in the end, readers will feel like they’ve attended an especially informative and effective workshop. In a crowded field, this stands out.