Leading Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Guide for Systemic Change in Multinational Organizations

by Rohini Anand, Sophie Bellon (Foreword by)

Overview

This book offers five proven principles so multinational companies can advance diversity, equity, and inclusion with a nuanced understanding of local contexts across countries and cultures.
It's easy to fall into the trap of using a single-culture worldview when implementing global DEI in organizations. But what makes DEI change efforts successful in one country may have opposite, unintended consequences in another. How do companies find the right balance between anchoring their efforts locally while pushing for change that may disrupt existing power dynamics?
This is the question at the heart of global DEI work. Along with practical advice and examples, Rohini Anand offers five overarching principles derived from her own experience leading global DEI transformation and interviews with more than sixty-five leaders to provide a through line for leading global DEI transformation in divergent cultures.
Local relevance—understanding markets and acknowledging local beliefs, regulations, and history—is essential for global success. This groundbreaking book explicitly details how to take local histories, laws, and practices into account in DEI transformation work while promoting social justice worldwide.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781523000265
Publisher:	Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Publication date:	10/17/2023
Sold by:	OPEN ROAD INTEGRATED - EBKS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Dr. Rohini Anand is CEO of Rohini Anand LLC, focusing on strategic global diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leadership, coaching, and consulting. Prior to that, she was the senior vice president for corporate responsibility and global chief diversity officer for Sodexo, a multinational corporation operating in seventy-two countries. She is the recipient of many accolades, including the Mosaic Woman Leadership Award, the Women's Foodservice Forum Trailblazer Award, the American Institute for Managing Diversity's Individual Leader Award, the Who's Who in Asian American Communities (WWAAC) Award, Ascend's inaugural Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Award, and the Diversity Leadership Star Award by Diversity Woman.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Preface xi

Introduction: From Class Action to Best in Class: A Personal Journey 1

Principle 1 Make It Local 21

Chapter 1 Localizing a Global Change Strategy 23

Chapter 2 Understanding Race and Ethnicity 41

Principle 2 Leaders Change to Lead Change 61

Chapter 3 Transformational Leadership across Cultures 63

Chapter 4 Dealing with Resistance 79

Principle 3 And It's Good Business, Too 95

Chapter 5 Compelling Rationales for Change 97

Chapter 6 Creating Competitive Advantage through DEI 117

Principle 4 Go Deep, Wide, and Inside-Out 137

Chapter 7 The Scaffolding for Change: Governance and Champions 139

Chapter 8 Embedding Change: internal and External Ecosystems 155

Principle 5 Know What Matters and Count It 179

Chapter 9 Metrics and Accountability 181

Conclusion: Elevating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Long Haul 203

Leading Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Discussion Guide 213

Appendix: Sample Lead and Lag Measures 217

Notes 229

Acronyms Glossary 251

Acknowledgments 253

Index 257

About the Author 270

Editorial Reviews

If thought leadership is about advancing a body of work, Dr. Anand’s new book is the quintessential thought leadership primer for global DEI. Well-written and filled with illuminating storytelling, this is an engaging read that presents a compelling case to push for the kind of change that addresses inequities globally while grounding it within a local context.”
—Indra Nooyi, former Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo

“Rohini Anand is sui generis. She has led the diversity efforts of an organization and made it a place vastly different than the one she entered. Using her own experience in global inclusion, equity, and diversity transformation, Rohini writes about the principles that can guide a new generation that will carry the torch forward. Her book is, above all, a story of hope that we are getting better at aligning our values with our actions.”
—Mahzarin R. Banaji, Richard Clarke Cabot Professor of Social Ethics, Department of Psychology, Harvard University

“Inclusion, diversity, and equity are critical to social cohesion, economic resilience, and the future of democracy. Dr. Anand’s book presents deep insights from multiple perspectives that are critical to corporate and government leaders serious about steering today’s organizations.”
—Muriel Penicaud, French Ambassador, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and former Minister of Labor, France

“Drawing on her decades of experience, Dr. Rohini Anand offers a crucial road map for any leader who wishes to advance diversity and inclusion globally. Dr. Anand’s practical and nuanced advice will empower leaders in multinational organizations to push for transformational change while being attuned to local conditions.”
—Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law, New York University School of Law

“As we all look inward to address issues of race and ethnicity, this book could not be more timely. Dr. Anand speaks truth to power from a lived global experience. A must-read for any organization seeking cultural change aimed at eliminating racial and ethnic discrimination.”
—Shireen L. Dodson, Ombudsman, United Nations

“Our time is that of an ethical demand for equity and diversity. This work is the book for our time.”
—Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Director, Institute of African Studies, Columbia University

“It is now time to accelerate addressing inequities everywhere. That means reinventing our DEI operating models and integrating local cultures in order to make sustainable changes. This is the go-to book, with no better author on the subject to help point the way.”
—Monica Loaiza, board of directors member, American Express, Devlyn Holdings, and Grupo Diagnóstico Proa, Mexico

“Dr. Anand prepares leaders of global firms to undertake the DEI journey by sharing what she has learned and how she has made sense of these lessons by putting them into a clear conceptual framework.”
—Junko Takagi, Leadership and Diversity Chair Professor, ESSEC Business School, France

“Dr. Anand makes a compelling case for global organizations to adopt a localized framework and a data-driven approach for integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion into their business model. Leaders at every level of the organization will benefit from this read.”
—Leena Nair, Chief Human Resources Officer, Unilever

“Some of the most thoughtful work can emerge from an author’s own journey of self-discovery. This book is no different. In it, Dr. Anand gives the reader an honest look into her experiences in leading global DEI for over thirty years, which makes this book a must-have for all leaders wrestling with the complexities of change in the global context.”
—Stephanie J. Creary, organizational scholar and Assistant Professor of Management, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

“Positively transforming the lives of people with disabilities is a global imperative. Dr. Anand demonstrates this commitment with mastery. At REIS, a Brazilian company coalition for the inclusion of people with disabilities, we celebrate this topic in a global book!”
—Ivone Santana, Executive Secretary, Rede Empresarial de Inclusão Social, Brazil

“As a nonprofit addressing gender equity in Latin America, we know how critical it is to localize this work. Dr. Anand synthesizes insights from her global work to share well-thought-out insights for being attuned to local contexts in global culture change work. A much-needed book!”
—Alejandra Sepúlveda, President, ComunidadMujer, Chile

“A must-read, must-discuss, and must-take-action book on global DEI. This book is truly the essential guide to build systemic change.”
—Edie Fraser, CEO, Women Business Collaborative, and founder, Diversity Best Practices

“Dr. Rohini Anand provides much-needed guidance for leaders seeking to make their organizations more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. She draws on her extensive experience as a business leader and her personal journey in building a career as a women of color. Her position as former chair of the Catalyst Advisory Board also afforded her a broad perspective on industry best practices.”
—Lorraine Hariton, President and CEO, Catalyst

“Dr. Anand’s pathbreaking book lays out a practical and powerful approach for global organizations to drive DEI transformation. Having had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Anand over many years and applying the principles laid out in her book to drive change within my organization, I will highly recommend this book to leaders who want to translate good intent into exceptional DEI outcomes.”
—Rishi Gour, CEO, Theobroma, and former Country President, Sodexo, India

“Diverse companies with a clear purpose will be the ones that thrive—but racial diversity can be difficult to navigate. This book is one-of-a-kind in helping companies address racial diversity, including how to integrate refugees in your workforce. Leaders at every level in the organization will benefit from Rohini’s insights.”
—Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO, Chobani and Tent

“The contents and timing of this book could not have come at a better moment! With Rohini’s understanding of the culture and our business world in Latin America, I am convinced of this book’s value for leaders in the region. Rohini Anand provides clear examples of what to do and not do in this challenging but fulfilling daily work of inclusion culture change.”
—Augusto Muench, President and CEO, Boehringer Ingelheim, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean

“As corporate leaders rise to the challenge of building a more civil and just society, they must understand the ways in which effective approaches to DEI in their organizations can be catalysts for good. Dr. Anand offers us a blueprint for authentic leaders who are called to lead people through lasting, powerful change.”
—Steve Odland, President and CEO, The Conference Board

“As an Italian global company, we will benefit tremendously from this book. The local insights shared by the author are really critical to our success as we facilitate culture change to make our workplaces more diverse, equitable, and inclusive everywhere we operate.”
—Massimo Garavaglia, CEO, De’ Longhi Group

From the Publisher