How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race: Practical Tools for Necessary Change in the Workplace and Beyond

Summary

Negotiation expert Kwame Christian's motto is: "The best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations." If we want a more equitable workplace, and a more equitable world, we have to talk to each other about race. But, for so many of us, that's easier said than done.

Many people avoid conversations about race because of fear: fear of discomfort, damaging important relationships, being misunderstood, "canceled," ostracized. How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race equips you with the skills you need to make these crucial conversations easier and more productive.

Whether you're looking to create change for yourself and other BIPOC, or a white ally seeking to support your coworkers or clients, you'll learn how to: overcome your internal barriers to talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); work around others' barriers to productive discussion; be strategic about the outcome you want, and guide the conversation accordingly; use "Compassionate Curiosity" to connect and persuade; avoid common mistakes; and communicate more effectively over email, when you can't talk face to face. If you've ever struggled to turn that passion into persuasion, or been too afraid to speak up at work (or outside of it), this book is for you.