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PREFACE

A Note to CEOs and Leadership

I’M NOT ONE TO MINCE WORDS or, as the saying goes, I’m not a banana-up-the-tailpipe kind of woman. Let’s put it on the table and figure it out, whatever it is. We can figure it out if we want to.

All the careers I’ve had have led me to focus on Diversity and Inclusion full time, and that’s how my company The Cavu Group was born. To be effective and to be part of the process of change, I’ve also had to bring in my mediation, pastoral care, conflict-coaching, and leadership skills to support that focus. There are a lot of feelings and nuances in implementing a successful Diversity and Inclusion effort, even if folks don’t want to admit it.

For some reason the concept of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) is a floating cloud that everyone is trying to grab hold of. Why? Because we’re told to make it happen. Or we know that we need to do it. Or we genuinely understand how the world works.

If you’re stuck dealing with Diversity and Inclusion, or you’re not sure that you have it covered, this book is for you. It’s a simple read, and it will guide you with honest answers from over 30 people who are a mix of gender, race, religion, disabilities, and LGBTQ+. They represent, but are not limited to, tech, education, theater, writing, fashion, art, automotive, disability activism, medical, media, financial services, sales, events, promotions, construction, risk management, photography and video, lobbying, public relations, not-forprofits, social media, marketing, the faith community, entertainment, wellness, travel, personal and executive development, communications, architecture, engineering, science, service industry and the C-suite. I didn’t want to write a book from only my perspective; I wanted to share with you how people under different parts of the diversity umbrella feel and think.

Throughout the book you’ll see quotes from these participants. Please don’t assume, if you see the same title under different quotes, that they’re from the same person or that you can guess who they are.

I’ve written the book as if you and I were sitting in a café or bar, having a conversation on what’s working in your organization and what isn’t, and, most of all, how the diverse community that you’re supposed to be focusing on knows whether your commitment to Diversity and Inclusion is real or not.

Those of you who are part of that diverse community can give this book as a gift to those you feel need to know the real deal on Diversity and Inclusion though you may not be able to talk to them about it yourself. I hope I’ve done that for you.

Read this book, and continue to use it as a reference today and in the future. And let’s chat when you’ve finished.

— Leslie Short