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
