Leadership - DEI
Winner
The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization
Maureen Dunne
Attempts to implement neuroinclusion at scale have overwhelmingly failed at the hands of overgeneralized “check the box” strategies that dive no deeper than superficial accommodation. Dr. Dunne exposes this fundamental misunderstanding and explains why outcomes range from uninspiring to disastrous for organizations while still failing to serve the legions of underemployed neurodivergent jobseekers with dignity, economic opportunity, and authentic inclusion.
The Neurodiversity Edge challenges this flawed paradigm and unveils a revolutionary new framework and practical roadmap to building an organizational culture fundamentally aligned with authentic neuroinclusion in the context of accelerating technological change. The result is a bold vision for a new values-driven approach that fosters inclusion and economic opportunity for the disproportionately unemployed neurodivergent population that benefit all with cognitive and experiential diversity as an essential driver of innovation.
Leadership - DEI
Winner
Measuring Inclusion: higher profits and happier people, without guesswork or backlash
Paolo Gaudiano
"Measuring Inclusion" creates a direct and measurable link between Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and financial success, demonstrating to business leaders how embracing DEI can drive organizational performance. The book’s innovative approach combines data and financial analogies to show that DEI is not only beneficial but essential for long-term success. Importantly, it outlines strategies that promote inclusion without triggering backlash, making DEI initiatives more appealing to leaders. By motivating organizations to prioritize DEI, this book paves the way for improved working conditions, increased representation, and greater opportunities for historically underrepresented and underprivileged individuals. The ripple effect of these changes extends beyond the workplace, fostering a more inclusive society where participation by diverse groups is encouraged and valued.
Leadership - DEI
Winner
Conscious Change: How to Navigate Differences and Foster Inclusion in Everyday Relationships
V Jean Ramsey
Jean Kantambu Latting
Conscious Change provides principles and tools for individuals to navigate challenges in multicultural contexts. The book showcases how 19 contributors have successfully applied the Conscious Change framework, first introduced in Reframing Change, to build inclusive workplaces and stronger interpersonal relationships. Through real-life stories, readers can learn practical skills for becoming inclusive leaders and fostering equity in work and community settings. By sharing a variety of experiences, Conscious Change has the capacity to transform lives, equipping more people with tools to create positive change in culturally diverse settings. The book's impact is significant, with a reviewer from the Midwest Review of Books noting its timely arrival "at a crucial moment in our nation's history," and praising its "invaluable insight on how we can bridge the divide and foster unity."
Leadership - DEI
Winner
Inclusive Leadership Navigating Organisational Complexity
Sile Walsh
Practical Guidance: Provides practical ways to lead inclusively, regardless of formal leadership status.
Focus on Being: Emphasizes embodying inclusion daily rather than listing diversity tasks. Thoughtful Authenticity: Advocates for considered authenticity aligned with organisational goals to avoid career limitations. Human Connection: Encourages connection with one's humanity and others, fostering self-awareness and honest improvement. Empowering Guidance: Combines research-based practices with a compassionate perspective, offering clear, actionable tools. Root-Cause Approach: This approach shifts focus from fixing symptoms to addressing the root causes of exclusion, promoting a deep understanding of inclusivity. The book transforms the perception of inclusive leadership from compliance to a vital, everyday practice, making a real difference in organisational and individual dynamics.
Leadership - DEI
Finalist
Organizational Culture: A Guide to Inclusive Transformation
Marie Carasco
Organizational Culture will teach change managers, organizational development specialists, and HR professionals who seek to engage and support a diverse workforce. The goal of this book is to focus on the community aspect of encouraging differences while not subjecting their employees to harmful environments causing traumatic workplace experiences.
Leadership - DEI
Finalist
Breaking the Rainbow Ceiling: How LGBTQ+ people can thrive and succeed at work
Layla McCay
Layla McCay’s ‘Breaking the Rainbow Ceiling’ provides a compelling look at the challenges facing LGBTQ+ professionals as they navigate their careers – with critical advice from many senior figures, from CEOs to Ambassadors, who have smashed their own rainbow ceilings. McCay reveals the challenges that LGBTQ+ people commonly encounter as they find their way in work environments and explores the hidden differences that cause LGBTQ+ people to be underrepresented at the most senior levels of professional life. McCay exposes the barriers LGBTQ+ people face in the workplace as significant, widespread and damaging to ignore and she uses her voice to provides the practical strategies that can help empower LGBTQ+ people to reach their full professional potential and equips organizations to build a more inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and succeed.
Leadership - DEI
Finalist
The Intimacy of Race; How to Move From Subconscious Racism to Active Allyship for People of Privilege
Eva Medilek
This book helps people with skin color privilege navigate the intricacies of race relations in an easily digestible, actionable way. When the need for diversity and inclusion training skyrocketed in 2020, after George Floyd's murder, people were being guilted, shamed, and canceled for saying things the wrong way. This book takes a practical approach to integrating allyship and inclusion into your daily life. From defining racism and allyship to learning about how to speak up against discrimination, this book takes the fear and mystery out of talking about race and taking action towards working to create more inclusive environments.
Leadership - DEI
Finalist
The New C-Suite: Civil Leadership in Action
Tiana S Sanchez
Tiana Sanchez, Deborah K. Ford Ph.D, Andy Fee, Dr. Natalie Parks, Dr. Nicole Yeldell Butts, Paula Valle Castañon, Marina St Cyr, Mark Maes
In today’s increasingly polarizing world, this book is a powerful reminder of the critical role civility plays in saving us from self-destruction. As divisions deepen across societies, it’s clear that a new kind of leadership—rooted in civility, respect, and inclusivity—is needed more than ever. Readers are discovering how embracing civil leadership can bridge divides, rebuild trust, and create environments where collaboration and understanding thrive. The book shows that civility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for our survival, offering a path forward that prioritizes empathy, ethical behavior, and a collective sense of responsibility. In a world full of conflict, civility might just be the key to saving us from ourselves.