Did That Just Happen?!

Beyond "Diversity"-Creating Sustainable and Inclusive Organizations

An accessible guide showing all people how to create and sustain diversity and inclusivity in the workplace—no matter your identity, industry, or level of experience

Offering real-life accounts that illustrate common workplace occurrences around inclusivity and answers to questions like “How do I identify and handle diversity landmines at work?” and “What can I do when I’ve made a mistake?” this handbook breaks down ways that organizations (and all people) can improve their cultural awareness and become more equitable in their work and personal relationships.

We know that diverse teams are stronger, smarter, and more profitable, and many companies are attempting to hire more diverse teams, but most struggle to create a real culture of inclusivity in which people from all backgrounds feel comfortable. As clinical psychologists, as well as individuals with marginalized identities, Dr. Stephanie Pinder-Amaker and Dr. Lauren Wadsworth show the emotional and physical impact of marginalization and how that leads to a decrease in employee engagement and, often, increased job turnover.

“Did That Just Happen?!” will be invaluable for employees who come from underrepresented communities and identities (identities discussed include race, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship status, and gender expression). But the book is essential for leaders of companies, supervisors, HR departments, and for anyone who wants to understand and support diversity/equity/inclusion practices. The book will also make readers feel more confident in their navigating of friendships/interactions with people who hold different identities.
Authors’ Note

CHAPTER 1
Inclusive Teams Are Better Teams

CHAPTER 2
What’s in a Name?

CHAPTER 3
“Pioneerism”: The Good, the Bad, and the Painful

CHAPTER 4
Becoming “Experts”

CHAPTER 5
This Work Is Not Linear

CHAPTER 6
Moving Through the Freeze

CHAPTER 7
When You’ve Messed Up

CHAPTER 8
Leading by Empowering Listening

CHAPTER 9
Staying Safe: Swimming in the School

CHAPTER 10
Responding to Identity-Related Aggressions (IRAs)

CHAPTER 11
Build the Horse Before Presenting the Cart

CHAPTER 12
Sustaining Yourself

CHAPTER 13
Anti-Racism in the Workplace

CHAPTER 14
Follow the Data to the Future

Glossary and a Few Tips to Go
Acknowledgments
Notes
Reading Guide
Index
Dr. Stephanie Pinder-Amaker is a clinical psychologist and Harvard Medical School professor committed to achieving multicultural excellence in organizations. As founding director of McLean Hospital’s College Mental Health Program, she has consulted with numerous institutions on diversity and inclusion. She is also the cofounder of Twin Stars Diversity Trainers, a consultation company offering diversity and identity-related trainings for organizations. Dr. Pinder-Amaker currently serves as the McLean Hospital-Harvard Medical School’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer.

Dr. Lauren Wadsworth is a clinical psychologist passionate about furthering diversity and inclusion efforts. She serves as a senior advisor on the Anti-Racist, Justice, and Health Equity team at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She is the founder and director of the Genesee Valley Psychology (GVP), a clinic providing evidence-based treatment to the Rochester, NY, area and specializing in OCD, trauma, DBT, and a newly launched Racial Trauma and Healing center. She is also the cofounder of Twin Stars Diversity Trainers, a consultation company offering diversity and identity-related trainings for organizations and leadership. Finally, she is a clinical senior instructor in psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Stephanie Pinder-Amaker View titles by Stephanie Pinder-Amaker

About

An accessible guide showing all people how to create and sustain diversity and inclusivity in the workplace—no matter your identity, industry, or level of experience

Offering real-life accounts that illustrate common workplace occurrences around inclusivity and answers to questions like “How do I identify and handle diversity landmines at work?” and “What can I do when I’ve made a mistake?” this handbook breaks down ways that organizations (and all people) can improve their cultural awareness and become more equitable in their work and personal relationships.

We know that diverse teams are stronger, smarter, and more profitable, and many companies are attempting to hire more diverse teams, but most struggle to create a real culture of inclusivity in which people from all backgrounds feel comfortable. As clinical psychologists, as well as individuals with marginalized identities, Dr. Stephanie Pinder-Amaker and Dr. Lauren Wadsworth show the emotional and physical impact of marginalization and how that leads to a decrease in employee engagement and, often, increased job turnover.

“Did That Just Happen?!” will be invaluable for employees who come from underrepresented communities and identities (identities discussed include race, age, disability, sexual orientation, citizenship status, and gender expression). But the book is essential for leaders of companies, supervisors, HR departments, and for anyone who wants to understand and support diversity/equity/inclusion practices. The book will also make readers feel more confident in their navigating of friendships/interactions with people who hold different identities.

Table of Contents

Authors’ Note

CHAPTER 1
Inclusive Teams Are Better Teams

CHAPTER 2
What’s in a Name?

CHAPTER 3
“Pioneerism”: The Good, the Bad, and the Painful

CHAPTER 4
Becoming “Experts”

CHAPTER 5
This Work Is Not Linear

CHAPTER 6
Moving Through the Freeze

CHAPTER 7
When You’ve Messed Up

CHAPTER 8
Leading by Empowering Listening

CHAPTER 9
Staying Safe: Swimming in the School

CHAPTER 10
Responding to Identity-Related Aggressions (IRAs)

CHAPTER 11
Build the Horse Before Presenting the Cart

CHAPTER 12
Sustaining Yourself

CHAPTER 13
Anti-Racism in the Workplace

CHAPTER 14
Follow the Data to the Future

Glossary and a Few Tips to Go
Acknowledgments
Notes
Reading Guide
Index

Author

Dr. Stephanie Pinder-Amaker is a clinical psychologist and Harvard Medical School professor committed to achieving multicultural excellence in organizations. As founding director of McLean Hospital’s College Mental Health Program, she has consulted with numerous institutions on diversity and inclusion. She is also the cofounder of Twin Stars Diversity Trainers, a consultation company offering diversity and identity-related trainings for organizations. Dr. Pinder-Amaker currently serves as the McLean Hospital-Harvard Medical School’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer.

Dr. Lauren Wadsworth is a clinical psychologist passionate about furthering diversity and inclusion efforts. She serves as a senior advisor on the Anti-Racist, Justice, and Health Equity team at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. She is the founder and director of the Genesee Valley Psychology (GVP), a clinic providing evidence-based treatment to the Rochester, NY, area and specializing in OCD, trauma, DBT, and a newly launched Racial Trauma and Healing center. She is also the cofounder of Twin Stars Diversity Trainers, a consultation company offering diversity and identity-related trainings for organizations and leadership. Finally, she is a clinical senior instructor in psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Stephanie Pinder-Amaker View titles by Stephanie Pinder-Amaker

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