Inclusive Leadership For Dummies

Introduction

“If you are a leader and no one is following you, you’re just taking a walk.”

This is one of my favorite quotes to live by and one that I coach leaders all over the world. The reality is, at the core of effective leadership is the expectation that you meet the needs of a new generation of talent that brings different ways of working, thinking, believing, and behaving; that you demonstrate the kind of skills and competencies that engender followers; that you grow others into effective leaders; and cultivate the kind of work environment that brings out the best in others and drives high performance. Today, effective leadership begins and ends with inclusive leadership. And successful organizations recognize that in order to attract and retain top talent, enhance the employee experience, drive innovation and creativity, and meet the changing needs of their customers, they must have inclusive leaders who are knowledgeable and skilled at working across differences.

I have been preparing to write this book all of my personal and professional life because of the experiences I’ve had, the challenges I’ve overcome, and the expertise and knowledge that I have acquired. Writing this book is a labor of love because it is my life’s work of more than three decades as a corporate executive, certified HR and leadership consultant, a global workforce expert, a Toastmasters International Golden Gavel recipient, and an inductee into the Inclusion Hall of Fame. And on a personal note, ...