It's Time to Talk about Race at Work

CHAPTER 17Dealing with Naysayers and Derailers

My friend Robin works at a mid-sized accounting firm. Accounting is one of those industries that is overwhelmingly White. The owner of the firm is trying to diversify their staff because he knows their team will be strengthened if they have new talent with new perspectives. Many of the clients they serve are small to mid-sized businesses and the business owners themselves are more diverse than ever.

Aside from being an all-White firm right now, the staff at the accounting firm is comprised of a lot of older accountants who think diversity is a “bunch of nonsense” or “just caving in to political correctness.” Robin said to me, “The owner of the firm is trying to do the right thing and make change at our firm, but it's like pushing the elephant up the stairs. A lot of the team doesn't take any of it seriously or thinks it's all just B.S. and I don't know if we'll be able to do this if the team isn't on board and supportive.”

This is a common issue many leaders face when working to create a workplace that is more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Their all-White or mostly White team thinks it's unnecessary, stupid, or a waste of time. Change at work is always hard for most employees because it requires new approaches and relearning or training, and most employees like things just the way they are.

When it comes to putting the work in to make your team, department, or company more diverse, you should expect some resistance from your ...