The Inclusion Breakthrough explains how to make diversity a central and profitable part of an organizations strategy for long-term success rather than merely a peripheral program. The authors, principals of a leading diversity consulting firm, present proven strategies for stimulating the creativity and productivity of any businesss greatest resource its people. Benefits to companies that have implemented these inclusion strategies are also described.

Constant, continuing, and cataclysmic change is causing a major crisis within business organizations today. Faced with constantly advancing technology, unpredictable market shifts, intense global competition, and an increasingly independent ''free agent'' workforce, the only way for an organization to adapt and succeed is to build a ''culture of inclusion'' that nurtures and draws on the talents of a diverse workforce. Easy to say but hard to do; most organizations are mired in industrial revolution, static-world business models administered by monocultural, bordering-on-oppressive, ''command and control'' hierarchies. Organizations at risk include Fortune 500 giants, entrepreneurial start-ups, manufacturing and retail operations, government agencies, not-for-profits, educational institutions, and others. Most organizational change efforts-whether labeled as diversity efforts, re-engineering, right-sizing, or total-quality-management-are a waste of time, money, and human effort. Most produce more cynicism than results, and they can poison the waters for future change efforts. The Inclusion Breakthrough cuts a path through this potential minefield, offering a proven methodology for strategic organizational change, including models for diagnosing, planning, and implementing inclusion-focused, culture-change strategies tailored to each organization's individual needs. It also describes the key competencies for leading and sustaining a culture of inclusion. Offering real-world results of ''before and after'' surveys, including anecdotal and statistical reports of organizational change achieved using the methodologies described, The Inclusion Breakthrough presents an overview of current workplace conditions, attitudes, and policies based on interviews, surveys, and focus groups encompassing thousands of people in major organizations. The Inclusion Breakthrough demonstrates why the bottom line must be the central focus of any change strategy-and more importantly, how to carry that strategy out successfully.

We've been talking about changing corporate America for decades. Decades. And yet no real change has occurred. At least not when it comes to equality for all. Honestly, the talk is lip service for most. Why? Because the dominant group will not give up power willingly. So what will it take to originate authentic change for corporate America in today's climate? To achieve equality for all? Our country is running at a fever pitch. And so is our business world. And it seems there's no solution. Until you talk to Trudy Bourgeois. She knows the solution. She lives the solution. And she teaches the solution. The solution for our world today is this: courageous conversations. Courageous conversations about the difficult topics that get to the emotional level to create buy-in. At ALL levels of corporate America, top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top. Nothing happens until we talk about the truth and get to the core of the situation. Trudy takes the lead in those conversations right here and now. Throughout this groundbreaking book, she lights our path through the hard topics, through the tough and uncomfortable conversations, in such a way as to speak the truth in love - something she does well. If you are a leader of people (which is all of us), then settle in and get ready to learn and grow. Trudy Bourgeois takes her own personal and professional life experiences and the experiences of hundreds of leaders who were interviewed across generations and genders for this book provides. She provides a roadmap to a place called "deep democracy." It is in this place where cultures are bred that level the playing field, unleash potential, and afford everyone an equal opportunity to authentically contribute at their highest level. Trudy isn't afraid to have the courageous conversations necessary for true change and equality to finally take place in corporate America. If you want to experience success as a leader in today's world, you will want to not only read this book but also think long and hard about your habits, behaviors and patterns that shape how you engage across differences. Your success depends upon it.

Now is the time for Breakthrough Leadership This book was borne out of urgency. We face the consequences of a raging pandemic, coupled with an unprecedented call to end racial injustice. COVID-19 has exposed longstanding structural inequities, while at the same time offering a rare "breakthrough" opportunity to dismantle inequitable systems that have harmed our most marginalized students for generations. Breakthrough Leadership is rooted in moral courage and calls us to act upon a new discovery, or epiphany about a fundamental truth that challenges previous beliefs. While this book offers examples of schools that were "beating the odds" pre-COVID-19 as well as strategies for changing those odds in the future. Breakthrough Leadership also spotlights professionals now leveraging crises like this to shape local and national priorities toward a more equitable and healthy society for our children in order to: Create and sustain Equitable Learning Communities (ELCs) that are grounded in relational trust Establish comprehensive systems to ensure that all students thrive Implement cutting-edge principles of effective curriculum, instruction, and assessment including culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed practice, and blended learning Meaningfully engage families and community Leadership from the classroom to the board room is needed to advance an agenda of equitable and successful outcomes for our students. The facts stakes couldn’t be starker. Good leadership saves lives both in pandemics, and in our profession. "The critical variable that determines whether or not our schools can respond adequately to the numerous challenges that they and their children face is leadership. . . This book is about the work of such leaders. In big cities, small towns, and rural areas, a small number of principals and superintendents are showing that progress can be made when leaders have the resourcefulness and courage to address equity challenges directly. The educational leaders profiled in this book have a clear sense of how to systematically build the capacity of teachers and schools to meet the needs of the students they serve. I urge other leaders to learn from them so that great schools that serve all children well, will be the norm, rather than the exception." ~Pedro Noguera "With all its devastation, COVID-19 also presents the opportunity of the century to transform the public education system that, to say the least, has become stalled and stagnant in the past 50 years. . . . Breakthrough Leadership makes a significant contribution to our next phase, which must be one of definable and targeted transformation of equity-based learning. ~Michael Fullan

Harnessing technology for a better future At a time when many people worry about stalled progress on the economic, social, and environmental challenges of sustainable development, Breakthrough is a reminder that the promise of a better future is within our grasp, across a range of domains. It will interest anyone who wonders about the world’s economic, social, and environmental future.

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