06/28/2021
In this clear-eyed, practical guide, Sever, an HR professional, urges managers and HR teams to take the “time, energy, focus, and leadership” to ensure that organizations committed to working for justice in the world develop a culture and practices that also foster justice within the organization itself. She lays out practical steps for how justice-minded orgs can “walk the talk,” while also offering impassioned accounts of why doing so is vital: “The more staff feel seen, respected, empowered, and safe to be who they are, the more likely they will be to do their best work— which will in turn directly impact the mission of the organization.” Sever demonstrates that an org that lives up to its mission on the inside—practicing equity in hiring; confronting issues of power, privilege, and bias—has a greater chance in achieving its mission in the world.
Sever offers revealing anecdotes from her career and invaluable suggestions for hiring, onboarding, and valuing workers of diverse backgrounds. From her “Ten Questions for Supervisors on the Path to Justice”: “What do I identify as a ‘good work ethic’ and ‘professional conduct,’ and how do I react to people who don’t exhibit those qualities?”
While targeted specifically at organizations committed to social justice, Leading for Justice offers insights and advice that would benefit any supervisor and HR professional committed to an inclusive workplace. Sever identifies herself as a cisgender white woman who must continually listen and learn to understand the experiences of minorities laboring within systems that haven’t traditionally valued them. She scoffs at the thought of not learning new language that individuals prefer: “If that helps someone feel included, instead of excluded, why wouldn’t I say/do that? Why would I intentionally choose not to care about people who are feeling alienated?” This vital guide, peppered with provocative questions and insights, will aid any supervisor or organization eager to work to live up to their mission.
Takeaway: An invaluable guide for HR professionals and leaders committed to social justice.
Great for fans of: Charlotte Sweeney and Fleur Bothwick’s Inclusive Leadership; Elaine Congress, Allan Luks and Francis Petit’s Nonprofit Management : A Social Justice Approach.
Production grades Cover: B+ Design and typography: A Illustrations: N/A Editing: A Marketing copy: A
2022 Independent Press Awards Distinguished Favorite in Leadership
“As a seasoned human resources leader in the mission-driven nonprofit sector, Rita Sever shares actionable and practical advice for people and HR leaders in the book Leading for Justice: Supervision, HR, and Culture. Sever writes about her journey toward developing leadership skills that are informed by organizational dynamics of racialized power and privilege. Any leader who is looking for frank and honest advice about leadership must read this book.”
—Seattle Book Review
“Leading for Justice is a practical, no-holds-barred look at how we build justice organizations that are connected, efficient, and resilient. Rita Sever addresses the historical context of supervision and delves into hidden rules, power and privilege, and white do-gooders. She expertly interlaces stories from her experiences with guidance and tips, and challenges you to make it your own by leading you through self-reflections. This is an indispensable handbook that I will use in all of my projects.”
—Alicia Garza, Principal, Black Futures Lab
“The combination of theoretical explanations, hypotheticals, and anecdotes from Sever’s management career is an effective one, delivering plenty of nuance and a variety of ways of approaching a complex topic. The manual’s blend of idealistic goals and cleareyed assessments of corporate reality makes for an effective read. A well-written and informative guide to leading an equitable workplace.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Rita Sever combines personal insights and relatable experiences with practical and implementable recommendations to create an immensely readable book on how to create an equitable, mission-driven, and high-performing organization. Every manager who wants to sleep better at night and wake up excited to face the challenges of a world in dire need of change should buy this book.”
—Donna Norton, Executive Vice President, MomsRising
“Leading for Justice is a timely business guide for leaders looking to develop awareness around equity issues, both in themselves and in their organizations.”
—Foreword Reviews
“In this clear-eyed, practical guide, Sever, an HR professional, urges managers and HR teams to take the ‘time, energy, focus, and leadership’ to ensure that organizations committed to working for justice in the world develop a culture and practices that also foster justice within the organization itself. . . . Leading for Justice offers insights and advice that would benefit any supervisor or HR professional committed to an inclusive workplace. . . . This vital guide, peppered with provocative questions and insights, will aid any supervisor or organization eager to work to live up to their mission.”
—BookLife Reviews
“Rita Sever’s Leading for Justice provides us with a roadmap to know when to step up and when to stand back when supporting, mentoring, and uplifting our BIPOC team members while striving to dismantle a system created to sustain white supremacy. Leading for Justice is a treasure trove of resources to be incorporated into our leadership repertoire that can be referenced time and time again.”
—Heidi Strunk, President and CEO, Mental Health America of CA
“As a person of color who strives for liberation, resisting that tendency to ‘call out’ or ‘cancel’ folks because of the harm I’ve experienced, I appreciate how Rita courageously demonstrates a path and a journey for all of us in Leading for Justice. She further allows us insight into the specific ways that our white colleagues can be on the path of justice accountability for themselves, consequently making it happen for all of us. Rita fields so many curiosities about difficult situations with compassion, sometimes humor, and always tender integrity. And with all the wisdom that’s in this book, her encouragement to ‘Make it Your Own’ further solidifies my appreciation that she sees me and acknowledges my experiences.”
—Renato P. Almanzor, PhD, Transformation Catalyst
