We Can?t Talk about That at Work! : How to Talk about Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics (1)

Instead of shutting down any mention of taboo topics, Mary-Frances Winters shows how to structure intentional conversations about them, so people can safely confront biases and stereotypes and create stronger, more inclusive organizations. Politics, religion, race - we can't talk about topics like these at work, right? But in fact, these conversations are happening all the time, either in real life or virtually via social media. And if they aren't handled effectively, they can become more polarizing and divisive, impacting productivity, engagement, retention, teamwork, and even employees' sense of safety in the workplace. But you can turn that around and address difficult topics in a way that brings people together instead of driving them apart. As a thought leader in the field of diversity and inclusion, Mary-Frances Winters has been helping clients create inclusive environments for over three decades. In this concise and powerful book, she shows you how to lay the groundwork for having bold, inclusive conversations. Even with the best of intentions, you can't just start talking about taboo topics - that's wandering into a minefield. Winters offers exercises and tools to help you become aware of how your cultural background has shaped your perceptions and habits and to increase your understanding of how people from other cultures may differ from you, particularly when it comes to communicating and handling conflict. Once you're ready (you can take the self-assessment included in the book to make sure), Winters gives detailed instructions on exactly how to structure these conversations. She emphasizes that this is a process, not a destination--you may not be able to resolve major issues nicely and neatly in just one conversation. And while the process is important, so is intent. She urges readers to "come from your heart, learn from your mistakes, and continue to contribute to making this a more inclusive world for all." Instead of shutting down any mention of taboo topics, Mary-Frances Winters shows how to structure intentional conversations about them, so people can safely confront biases and stereotypes and create stronger, more inclusive organizations.

Politics, religion, race - we can't talk about topics like these at work, right? But in fact, these conversations are happening all the time, either in real life or virtually via social media. And if they aren't handled effectively, they can become more polarizing and divisive, impacting productivity, engagement, retention, teamwork, and even employees' sense of safety in the workplace. But you can turn that around and address difficult topics in a way that brings people together instead of driving them apart.
 
As a thought leader in the field of diversity and inclusion, Mary-Frances Winters has been helping clients create inclusive environments for over three decades. In this concise and powerful book, she shows you how to lay the groundwork for having bold, inclusive conversations.
 
Even with the best of intentions, you can't just start talking about taboo topics - that's wandering into a minefield. Winters offers exercises and tools to help you become aware of how your cultural background has shaped your perceptions and habits and to increase your understanding of how people from other cultures may differ from you, particularly when it comes to communicating and handling conflict.
 
Once you're ready (you can take the self-assessment included in the book to make sure), Winters gives detailed instructions on exactly how to structure these conversations. She emphasizes that this is a process, not a destination—you may not be able to resolve major issues nicely and neatly in just one conversation. And while the process is important, so is intent. She urges readers to “come from your heart, learn from your mistakes, and continue to contribute to making this a more inclusive world for all.” We Can't Talk About That At Work!a Guide For Bold, Inclusive Conversationspolitics, Religion, Race-we Can't Talk About Topics Like These At Work, Right? But In Fact, These Conversations Are Happening All The Time, Either In Real Life Or Virtually Via Social Media. And If They Aren't Handled Effectively, They Can Become More Polarizing And Divisive, Impacting Productivity, Engagement, Retention, Teamwork, And Even Employees' Sense Of Safety In The Workplace. But You Can Turn That Around And Address Difficult Topics In A Way That Brings People Together Instead Of Driving Them Apart.as A Thought Leader In The Field Of Diversity And Inclusion, Mary-frances Winters Has Been Helping Clients Create Inclusive Environments For Over Three Decades. In This Concise And Powerful Book, She Shows You How To Lay The Groundwork For Having Bold, Inclusive Conversations. The Key Is Careful Preparation. Even With The Best Of Intentions, You Can't Just Start Talking About Taboo Topics-that's Wandering Into A Minefield. Winters Offers Exercises And Tools To Help You Become Aware Of How Your Cultural Background Has Shaped Your Perceptions And Habits And To Increase Your Understanding Of How People From Other Cultures May Differ From You, Particularly When It Comes To Communicating And Handling Conflict. Once You're Ready To Engage In Bold, Inclusive Conversations (you Can Take The Self-assessment Included In The Book To Make Sure), Winters Gives Detailed Instructions On Exactly How To Structure Them. A Key Component Is Beginning With A Conversation To Establish Some Kind Of Common Ground, Which Makes It Easier When You Go More Deeply Into Differences.winters Emphasizes That This Is A Process, Not A Destination-you May Not Be Able To Resolve Major Issues Nicely And Neatly In Just One Conversation. And While The Process Is Important, So Is Intent. She Urges Readers To Come From Your Heart, Learn From Your Mistakes, And Continue To Contribute To Making This A More Inclusive World For All. "Conversations about taboo topics happen at work every day. And if they aren't handled effectively, they can become polarizing and divisive, impacting productivity, engagement, retention, teamwork, and even employees' sense of safety in the workplace. In this concise and powerful book, Mary-Frances Winters shows how to deal with sensitive subjects in a way that brings people together instead of driving them apart. She helps you become aware of the role culture plays in shaping people's perceptions, habits, and communication styles and gives detailed guidance for structuring conversations about those things we're not supposed to talk about. Preparation is crucial--but so is intent. Winters advises you to "come from your heart, learn from your mistakes, and continue to contribute to making this a more inclusive world for all"--Publisher's website We Need to Talk! Conversations about taboo topics happen at work every day. And if they aren't handled effectively, they can become polarizing and divisive, impacting productivity, engagement, retention, teamwork, and even employees' sense of safety in the workplace. In this concise and powerful book, Mary-Frances Winters shows how to deal with sensitive subjects in a way that brings people together instead of driving them apart. She helps you become aware of the role culture plays in shaping people's perceptions, habits, and communication styles and gives detailed guidance for structuring conversations about those things we're not supposed to talk about. Preparation is crucial--but so is intent. Winters advises you to "come from your heart, learn from your mistakes, and continue to contribute to making this a more inclusive world for all." Helping you become aware of the role culture plays in shaping people's perceptions, habits, and communication styles, this concise and powerful book gives detailed guidance for structuring conversations about those things we're not supposed to talk about. --;Why do we have to talk about that at work? -- Get yourself ready for bold, inclusive conversations -- Expand your understanding of others and assess organizational readiness -- Prepare: who, what, why, where, how and when? -- Let the conversations begin! Search for shared meaning -- Let the conversations continue!: interpret and bridge differences -- Sharpen inclusive habits. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Preface 1 Why Do We Have to Talk about THAT at Work? 2 Get Yourself Ready for Bold, Inclusive Conversations 3 Expand Your Understanding of Others and Assess Organizational Readiness 4 Prepare: Why, Who, What, How, Where, and When? 5 Let the Conversations Begin: Search for Shared Meaning 6 Let the Conversations Continue: Interpret and Bridge Differences 7 Sharpen Inclusive Habits Glossary Notes Acknowledgments Index About the Author Helping you become aware of the role culture plays in shaping people's perceptions, habits, and communication styles, this concise and powerful book gives detailed guidance for structuring conversations about those things we're not supposed to talk about. -- Edited summary from book