Leading Below the Surface: How to Build Real (and Psychologically Safe) Relationships with People Who Are Different from You

Real connections within teams can create a culture shift for an entire company. Leading Below the Surface illustrates this vision, taking a radical stance against the "surface-ness" of corporate culture and exploring how highly rewarded behaviors are actually destroying organizations, blocking us all from creating truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive cultures of belonging. This book is not a step-by-step instructional guide or dry academic theory. With a foreword by Amy Edmondson, author and Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School, this book is inspired by organizational culture research, social psychology and neuroscience frameworks. Leading Below the Surface is a compass for the purpose-driven and forward-thinking leader. It merges true stories from the lived experiences of culture leader LaTonya Wilkins with actionable insights backed by dynamic interdisciplinary research. Just like she has done for hundreds of coaching and organizational clients, LaTonya effectively coaches you through this transformation through each engaging chapter. Leading Below the Surface disrupts the way we think about traditional leadership standards and the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that have failed to make lasting change. The wisdom in these pages is powerful enough to not only change the way we think about corporate culture, but will instantly activate opportunities for the individual looking to advance their career while remaining authentic to who they are. What you will learn in this book: Executives: You will learn how to create true cultures of belonging by leading below the surface, and through building real relationships with people who are different from you. Think of it as DEI 2.0. We all want to get there. Managers: You will learn how to make meaningful shifts to foster real belonging within your teams through practicing empathy, psychological safety, and REAL leadership. Individual Contributors: You will learn how to advance your career while remaining authentic to who you are. You will also learn new ways to influence real personal and professional belonging in the workplace. HR, DEI Leaders, and other related professionals: You will learn how to create real cultures of belonging so you can take all of your DEI efforts to the next level.