Bias Interrupted: Creating Inclusion for Real and For Good by Joan C. Williams. Joan is professor and director of the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California College of Law. This book is addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within large organizations. Previously Joan wrote What Works for Women at Work.
So, when does $8 million not move the needle? When companies use the wrong tools to solve a business problem. This is the outline of Bias Interrupted. Joan’s message that organizations have been using the wrong tool trying to address DEI.
In addition, Joan delivers a solid breakdown via evidence-based data (over twenty years) to the origins of organizational bias. This includes both descriptions and examples of common biases along with actionable outcomes to change culture.
Joan is certainly focusing this book on large organizations. In addition, it would be fair to say the book is for supervisors, managers and senior leadership.
I felt this book is indeed a great read. Some may consider this to be short and more of an overview. However, there are practical solutions included. This may be best for busy leaders today.
On the surface too many organizations may believe their cultural bias cannot change. Worse, they are also terribly mis informed that a half day workshop is the instant cure-all. However, Joan provides an educational overview to organizational leaders to indeed discover how their tuned efforts can establish a better workplace.