The Power of Difference - by Simon Fanshawe (Paperback)

About the Book

Learn how to create true diversity and inclusion by combining our differences, having open conversations and listening to all voices, not just the few, with this practical and engaging guide.

Book Synopsis

Good intentions are not enough - real diversity is about change. The Power of Difference explains why it's our differences and how we combine them that creates true diversity and generates innovation, fresh thinking and ultimately, success.

With clarity and wit, the author brings together his own experiences and the latest research to explain why inclusion is more than just being nice to people, why unconscious bias training isn't the fix we need and why listening to all individual voices, not just assuming that one viewpoint represents a group, is key.

Offering insight, analysis and practical solutions, The Power of Difference is a must read for all managers, leaders and HR professionals as well as anyone looking to engage with the topic, who doesn't know where to start. Exploring how to confront bias, question assumptions and avoid generalizations, this book illustrates why diversity should be part of the overall business strategy, not separate from it. It shows how for innovation and diversity to flourish, we must create spaces that are safe for disagreement, not from disagreement. Written in an engaging yet practical style, this book courageously tackles some of the most significant issues at work today.

Review Quotes

"The Power of Difference is wonderful, a remarkably enjoyable and immensely helpful read for any one in a leadership position or indeed anyone who feels the huge responsibility of improving the experience of their colleagues. The practical, but powerful, examples and illustrations peppered throughout the book contain the dilemmas and opportunities faced by a wide range of individuals and institutions. The golden thread was yes the complexity but also the huge potential that exists for individuals and organizations."-- "Stephen Posey, Chief Executive of The Royal Papworth NHS Trust"

"Simon Fanshawe opens space to rethink diversity and inclusion efforts from first principle, I predict readers will find themselves in equally vehement agreement and disagreement with different parts of this work, but ultimately emerge feeling enriched by its many provocations."-- "Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law, NYU School of Law and Faculty Director, Center for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging"

"The Power of Difference is incredibly timely. Simon brings wit, wisdom, and challenge to pointing a way forward and how inclusion must embrace all voices. This is a call to action for every one of us to play our part in using our difference to power a better future for companies."-- "Peter Cheese Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)"

"

This book educates and also acknowledges the complexity that exists around grappling with some of the concepts and suggests practical ways through. I simply loved it and the way it was written.

"-- "Geeta Nanda OBE, Chief Executive, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing"

"Diversity is the life-blood of innovation. What is often missing are the practical ways to create the culture for teams to thrive, where everyone has the confidence to contribute. This is an essential part of the environment for discovery, research and implementation to flourish safely. The Power of Difference provides managers and entrepreneurs with practical insights to drive innovation, while having the rigorous discussions that engage everyone's voice in assessing and taking risks."-- "David Gann CBE, Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School and Chairman of the UK Atomic Energy Authority"

"Simon Fanshawe has written the most compelling book on diversity I've ever read...beautifully written and full of narrative power, The Power of Difference weaves together the author's personal experiences, insights from research, and remarkable stories of others' journeys to show both how to build genuine inclusion and why it matters so very much in our multicultural world and to the success of organizations."-- "Amy C Edmondson, Professor, Harvard Business School and author of The Fearless Organization"

"With insight, great stories and wonderful language, The Power of Difference helps all of us, managers, teachers, citizens, listen - truly listen -- so that we can redesign how we live and work, and discover the enjoyment of managing diversity along the way."-- "Professor Iris Bohnet, Academic Dean of Harvard Kennedy School and author of What Works: Gender Equality by Design"

About the Author

Simon Fanshawe OBE is the co-founder of Diversity by Design, where he works with public, private and third sector companies to bring about meaningful change in the diversity of their talent and the true inclusiveness of their culture. He is Chairman of Hexagon Housing and on the Board of POWERful Women. Based in Brighton, UK, he was a co-founder of Stonewall and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Sussex for his work on diversity and human rights. He has long been involved in campaigns for equality and positive social change and has served on the Board of companies and organizations in the private and charity sectors for over thirty-five years. In 2023, he was inducted into the HR Magazine Hall of Fame after being named one of the most influential HR thinkers in 2022.