LEADING FOR JUSTICE

A business book offers advice on leadership and equity in the workplace from a human resources veteran.

In this guide, Sever shares insights gained from years of work in human resources, both in-house and as a consultant, with a focus on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The volume is aimed at managers, and the author opens by explaining what it takes to successfully supervise employees, from running meetings to evaluating performance. The book then moves to big-picture questions of missions, relationships, and behavior, advising readers who want to make sure their businesses are demonstrating the values they espouse. The following chapters explore how organizations—their HR departments, in particular—can take concrete actions to promote social justice in the workplace through hiring practices, compensation policies, and supportive environments. The narrative is interspersed with “Make It Your Own” sections, in which Sever asks questions designed to help readers apply the topics covered to their own workplaces (“What are structural changes within your organization that could make getting the work done and self-care both possible?”). The author is a thoughtful and methodical writer, and the volume covers a substantial amount of information without overwhelming readers. Proponents of social justice in the workplace will find concrete recommendations for taking action and creating a more equitable environment. Readers who are more skeptical about the topic should find Sever’s explanations of how an organization can take steps toward equity and why it benefits everyone involved both informative and persuasive. New managers are also likely to find the guide particularly useful, as the author explores the key elements of a supervisory role and how they can be implemented properly or badly. Readers without previous exposure to leadership or HR concepts will have no difficulty following along. 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.