The Book Nook

What's this about?

Inclusive 360 breaks down workplace situations, policies, behaviours and pitfalls by applying their ARC method (Ask, Respect, Connect). This book supports leaders to thoughtfully ask good questions in order to navigate a workplace in a time where inclusivity is necessary and demanded but often feels so hard to achieve.

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About The Author

Bernadette Smith (she/her) is founder and CEO of Equality Institute and award-winning author of four books, including the bestseller Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization. Bernadette has presented to enthusiastic audiences of CEOs, associations, entrepreneurs, leadership teams, sales professionals, account executives, marketing executives, human resource managers and more. Her expertise has been sought after by the New York Times, Forbes, the Washington Post, and Fast Company, among many others, and she’s appeared on the Today Show, the BBC, National Public Radio, and CNN.

(Bio from Plusweb.ca)

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Themes

Management, DEI, Workplace Transformation, Human Resources, Policy Change

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What We Liked

The book offered tangible, accessible and actionable suggestions to create inclusivity in the workplace. The definition and considerations of “inclusive” are intersectional and encourage leaders and workplaces to think outside of the typical boxes to check and go deeper into what it means to be equitable. The author is not afraid of naming the intersections of someone’s identity that often gets overlooked or are at the root of their exclusion in the workplace, such as race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, background, etc. The book also being divided into 3 parts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, the author nails in the concept that focusing only one dimension of the DEI train is not going to cut it anymore with a workforce composed of majority millennials and gen z.

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What we remember: 

Each chapter offers a practical way to apply the ARC method to different situations in the workplace and how leaders can use the method to create an inclusive and equitable environment for their employees, customers, clients, and generally all humans who come into contact with the business. The application of the ARC method includes example questions, ways to approach respecting answers and what possible accountability measures can be attached to the inclusion commitments.

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What this book is : a guide to applying the ARC method to create a more equitable environment at work, which makes the book feel very community oriented.

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What this book isn't : the only tool for DEI policy implementation and evaluation needed in the workplace. There is more work to do, this book offers other readings and resources to support your route to inclusion.

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Why You Should Read This

There are some real life examples of opportunities leaders are presented with to ask genuine and intentional questions, to respect the answers from their peers and employees, and to connect the answers and their needs to inclusive solutions you are ready to commit to. This book also gives you so many examples of questions, of answers, of accountability measures that you’re not just left to come up with something yourself on the spot. Did we mention there are also many recommendations for books and other resources to strengthen your learnings and skills.

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Quick Quotes

"Be empathetic when people don’t give their 100%, 100% of the time."

- Chapter 16

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"We’re often more afraid of embarrassing ourselves than we are eager to connect with others."

- Chapter 17​

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Get the Gist

Need to have a taste before buying the book? Click here for a preview of what the book is about and where it’s coming from.

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How does it fare?

“Throughout, Smith effectively takes a broad view of her subject, citing DEI examples that include race, gender, LGBTQ+, and disability issues. Overall, the book’s illuminating message is honest, forthright, and timely.

An aspirational and well-grounded management guide."
- Kirkus Reviews​