Amazon.com Review
The second of six short and snappy booklets in Debbe Kennedy's easy-to-use Diversity Breakthrough! Strategic Action series,
Acceptance focuses on developing internal support for diversity-promoting change within the organization, from engaging leaders at all levels to connecting with sponsors to getting buy-in from everyone involved.
Like all the booklets in this goal-oriented series, this one comes with self-assessment tools, concrete action strategies to mobilize change, and fun, quick action-planning worksheets, all in a concise 64-page format that's as adaptable to an organization-wide initiative or a small group effort as it is to an individual's nighttime reading and enrichment (where organizational change, after all, often begins). In real-life, first-person accounts, leaders from such diverse organizations as the U.S. Army, Leap Wireless International, IBM, and the Mars Exploration Program talk about how they have grappled, and continue to grapple, with diversity issues in such areas as business practices, staffing, and overall culture.
Readers can use this booklet alone or in conjunction with others in the series, each of which focuses on a crucial phase in what author Kennedy, a veteran consultant and a former manager of Equal Opportunity and human resources at IBM, calls the "imperfect circle" of change: "Assessment," "Acceptance," "Action," "Accountability," "Achievement," and--you guessed it--"More Action." The Breakthrough system also includes a pack of 52 cards, each of which spells out a specific diversity roadblock (starting with "Our leadership team does not reflect our stated commitment to inclusion."). Passed around in group format, they allow participants to literally "put their cards on the table" about internal issues they'd rather not bring up aloud--making for not just a brilliant icebreaker on a touchy subject but a crucial first step in isolating strengths and weaknesses in the realm of diversity.
Whether you read Acceptance á la carte or along with its counterparts, if you're looking for a non-technocratic, non-touchy-feely toolkit that demystifies diversity management and accords it the seriousness it deserves, this is it--and at a fraction of the price a consultant would charge. --Timothy Murphy
Review
Debbe Kennedy has given us multiple gifts--first, the gift of her deep experience with diversity work, and second, her creative gifts of presenting these ideas in a way that makes them intriguing and compelling. We have a great need for her work, because until we learn to work together in all our awesome, disturbing, and intriguing diversity, we will not be able to create organizations that can dance through these turbulent days. -- Margaret J. Wheatley, author Leadership and the New Science,
Debbe Kennedy provides both insight and action for any practioner at any size company with the topic of diversity on their plate! A perfect set of interventions for the beginner or the skilled professional. I took a tour of Debbe Kennedy's new work one evening, and was immediately (the next day) able to utilize her tools with a client. And, I was a hero! Her package is superb and moves (even the most sophisticated) into deep dialogue. -- Beverly Kaye, President, Career Systems International, Inc.,
Diversity Breakthrough! makes diversity a topic that is at last approachable for everyone-an opportunity to learn and grow. It makes you want to get involved. -- Debby McIsaac, Global People Development Manager, Hewlett-Packard Consulting, Letter to Publisher, November 1999
Hard hitting, pragmatic approaches, supported by well selected stories, all reinforcing the Perpetual Cycle of Action model that Kennedy has built. Diversity Breakthrough! is truly a treasure of yet undiscovered proportions. Sharp. Pragmatic. Immediately useful, forever valuable. -- Lane Michel, Partner, Director of Western Region Peppers and Rogers Group, Marketing 1 to 1, Inc., Letter to Publisher, October 1999
Once in a great while, someone comes up with a truly unique approach to human relationships. Debbe Kennedy is that someone. Her approach to diversity is the most innovative, insightful, practical, helpful set of concepts and tools I've seen in a very long time. Diversity Breakthrough is destined to become a 'classic. -- Barbara "BJ" Hateley, Co-Author, Peacock in the Land of Penguins:A Tale of Diversity and Discovery; Letter to Publisher, October 1999
The topic of diversity has been an ongoing challenge to every element of modern society. Debbe Kennedy has taken on this challenge and produced, with her new book series, a process which, I think, does the best job of generating action and growth toward understanding diversity and utilizing its extraordinary advantages. Particularly important is the powerful and novel set of activities and exercises that draws in everyone and enables them to climb to a new plateau of understanding and commitment. -- Joel A. Barker, Futurist and Author Discovering the Future: The Business of Paradigms; Letter to Publisher, November 1999
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by Bert Blake - Superintendent Lowell Area Schools
