Rebooting Tech Culture - by Telle Whitney (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Many technology leaders believe in having more women and people of color in technical and leadership positions in their organizations while still exhibiting reverence for the lone genius, almost always male, that they believe is imperative to their innovative future. They hold these two ideals as separate. Why? According to Telle Whitney, cofounder of the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, tech leaders want to talk about inclusivity, but few fundamentally change their culture to dismantle the unwelcoming environment, fearful that doing so will compromise innovation. Women and people of color pay the price, facing exclusive and even hostile workplaces. They're held back from professional growth and in many cases, choose to leave the industry altogether. But there is a solution. In Rebooting Tech Culture, Whitney explains that the same values at the heart of a culture of innovation-creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, and community-can also foster a culture that is welcoming to all employees. Drawing on more than 50 interviews with tech executives and a survey of 1,000 people in tech, she shows how these "six Cs" can power real change in technology organizations, creating workplaces where anyone can be successful and where innovation thrives. Today, every company is a tech company. By understanding how to apply these values and reinvigorate their cultures, leaders will learn how to eliminate the behaviors holding their teams back from true belonging, creative growth, and true innovation"--

Book Synopsis

Drive a more innovative, inclusive culture that welcomes all talent.

Many technology leaders believe in having more women and people of color in technical and leadership positions throughout their organizations. In truth, though, they just fall back on exclusionary behaviors, like revering the typically male "lone genius" who is essential to their innovative future. Why the disconnect?

According to Telle Whitney, cofounder of the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, while tech leaders may want to talk about inclusivity, few actually change their cultures to dismantle the unwelcoming environment, fearful that doing so will compromise innovation. Women and people of color pay the price, facing exclusive and even hostile workplaces. They're held back from professional growth and, in many cases, choose to leave the industry altogether.

But there is a solution. In Rebooting Tech Culture, Whitney argues that the same values at the heart of innovation--creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, and community--can also foster a culture that's welcoming to all employees. Drawing on more than fifty interviews with tech executives and a survey of a thousand people in tech, she shows how these "six Cs" can power real change in technology organizations, creating workplaces where anyone can be successful and where innovation thrives.

Today, every company is a tech company. By understanding how to apply these values and reinvigorate their cultures, leaders will learn how to eliminate the behaviors holding their teams back from true belonging, growth, and innovation.

Review Quotes

Advance Praise for Rebooting Tech Culture:

"Rebooting Tech Culture is a bold and essential road map for building inclusive organizations where innovation thrives. As a tech founder and leader, I know firsthand that sustainable innovation depends on cultures that embrace equity, creativity, and belonging--and this book shows us exactly how to get there." -- Kimberly Bryant, founder, Black Girls Code and Black Innovation Lab

"Telle Whitney brings her extensive experience, both in the tech industry and as a cofounder of the Grace Hopper Celebration, to address the long-standing problem of attracting, retaining, and promoting a diverse technology workforce. Her 'six Cs' are a recipe for creating a workplace where all individuals can contribute." -- John L. Hennessy, former President, Stanford University; Chairman, Alphabet Inc.

"Practical and insightful, Rebooting Tech Culture challenges many misconceptions about diversity, inclusion, and innovation in tech and provides concrete advice on how to create tech cultures where everyone has an opportunity to succeed. Whitney shows us how the values that drive high levels of innovation are the same as those that promote inclusion. And there is no one more qualified to share these insights. A must-read." -- Mary Beth Westmoreland, Vice President of Technology, Amazon

"Rebooting Tech Culture is a groundbreaking call to action for the tech industry. Through her 'six Cs, ' Telle Whitney shows that diverse teams drive the future of technology. An essential read for leaders committed to challenging the status quo, embracing change, and building tomorrow's inclusive, innovative workplaces." -- Colin Bodell, Chief Technology Officer, Bazaarvoice

About the Author

Telle Whitney is a recognized expert and advocate for diversity and women in technology. She has been called "a pioneer for the promotion of women technologists" and was named one of Fast Company's Most Influential Women in Technology. Whitney previously served as CEO of the Anita Borg Institute and cofounded the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. Prior to joining the Anita Borg Institute, she was Vice President of Engineering for Malleable Technologies. She holds a PhD in computer science and is a speaker and consultant helping executives and their companies create cultures where diverse teams can thrive.