2023 NYC Huge E book Award Distinguished Favourite in Audiobook Nonfiction
Nonfiction E book Awards Bronze Medal
To create cultures the place various groups flourish, we want boldly inclusive leaders.
Organizations have made public commitments to variety, fairness, inclusion, and belonging, but their leaders hardly ever have the talents to guide inclusively. Management guide and former Silicon Valley government Minette Norman is dedicated to altering that by sharing a few of the most vital issues she’s found over the a long time she spent within the company world, resembling
• each human being must really feel they belong,
• groups thrive when everybody feels protected sufficient to share their distinctive concepts and experiences,
• innovation is a gaggle exercise,
• empathy and compassion are management superpowers, and
• leaders set the tone by what they are saying, do, reward, and tolerate.
This isn’t a ebook about fast fixes or paying lip service to the new subject of inclusion. That is for leaders who need to boldly rework the office and are keen to depart their consolation zones. As a frontrunner, you’ll be taught to maximise your crew’s potential and respect that inclusive management is an ongoing journey. As Minette reveals, there isn’t any flipping a change or a neat, three-step method. Inclusive management takes dedication and apply, however the rewards are monumental.
Faith Kapell –
If you want to transform your workplace by your inclusive leadership, The Boldly Inclusive Leader is a must read. Minette writes from a human, vulnerable and honest way lending credibility with her authentic personal leadership stories. She inspires leaders to act to promote workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion every day despite other business priorities. Most important she shows how inclusive leadership inspires people to do their best work.Sharing the most important principles Minette has discovered, during her many years as a corporate leader, she outlines daily, and weekly practices designed to meet the many challenges leaders face creating a workplace every human being needs, to feel they belong. To continue to grow as an inclusive leader, Minette also offers a plan to start with yourself, by providing insightful self-questions after each chapter.As I coach leaders at all levels, this inspiring book will be a valuable resource to promote inclusive leadership that can transform our workplaces and offer environments where diverse teams of people can do their best work.
EMG –
Important read for executives and managers at all levels, and anyone in a leadership position or working to hone their leadership skills. Our actions around equity, diversity and inclusion directly influence individual, team and organization performance and success. This book offers personal insights from a Silicon Valley exec and leadership consultant along with research and practical guidance to maximize team potential.Five star because you’ll want to keep this as a reference book in your personal library and share with staff. It’s one you’ll refer to time and again, when faced with challenges and needing a sage’s wisdom.
Danny Ryan –
Great book. It emerges as a comprehensive guide to inclusive leadership, converging familiar notions into a unified, potent narrative. A succinct read yet packed with profound insights for those aspiring to be inclusive leaders.
ShuchiShuchi –
This book touches on some really important topics that everyone needs to be aware about. Just after reading the preface, I had a sense of deja –vu and had tears rolling down my eyes…The story she starts to narrate is so relatable, especially for women leaders. As we move through the chapters, it’s helpful to see the techniques she notes as key takeaways to help navigate through situations. I was also able to discover some of my own blindspots while navigating through this book and comparing everyday scenarios at work…I am going to be reading this book over and over again and planning on gifting it to some close friends and colleagues as well. Thanks for pouring your heart into it Minetta, loved it!!
Zoran Basich –
A practical and insightful guide for leaders at all levels, or people who are on a path toward leadership. It’s about inclusivity — not as a box to be checked, but rather a value that leads to not only more fair workplaces, but better and more effective ones.I especially appreciated the book’s emphasis on being authentic and honest, rather than hiding behind a facade of perfection. Managers don’t have all the answers and often don’t know the right path, but the book offers the reassurance that you can effectively manage within that uncertainty and yes, even discomfort. This human (and humane) approach to management rings throughout the book and feels in tune with this moment in corporate culture.Plenty of practical tips and examples from the writer’s experience (including really challenging ones) really drive the lessons home.
CJ Rebecky –
In “The Boldly Inclusive Leader” by Minette Norman, readers are presented with a compelling blueprint for not just transforming workplaces but making a profound impact on the world by embracing the power of diversity and inclusion. With deep insights, practical strategies, and an unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity, Norman’s book is a timely and essential read for leaders and organizations striving to create positive change.Norman’s writing is both articulate and passionate, and her personal experiences and expertise in leadership and diversity shine through on every page. She masterfully navigates through complex issues related to diversity and inclusion, making them accessible and actionable for leaders at all levels. The book isn’t just theoretical; it’s grounded in real-world examples and case studies, demonstrating how organizations have successfully harnessed the potential of their diverse workforce to drive innovation and growth.One of the book’s key strengths lies in Norman’s emphasis on the broader societal impact of inclusive leadership. She highlights how leaders can be catalysts for change not only within their organizations but also in the communities they serve. This perspective is particularly relevant in today’s interconnected world, where businesses are increasingly expected to play a role in addressing social and cultural issues.Norman provides a practical framework for building and sustaining inclusive cultures. From understanding unconscious bias to fostering allyship and creating inclusive communication, each chapter is packed with actionable advice and exercises that empower leaders to initiate meaningful change. The “Ask Yourself” sections at the end of each chapter encourage self-reflection and guide readers in applying the concepts discussed.Moreover, “The Boldly Inclusive Leader” is not just for top-level executives but for leaders at every level of an organization. Norman emphasizes that inclusivity is everyone’s responsibility, and she provides tools for individuals to make a difference, regardless of their position. This inclusive approach sets the book apart from others in the field.While Norman’s book is a comprehensive guide to inclusive leadership, it is also a rallying call to embrace diversity as a source of strength, innovation, and creativity. It challenges the status quo and encourages leaders to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and champion inclusivity.In conclusion, “The Boldly Inclusive Leader: Transform Your Workplace (and the World) by Valuing the Differences Within” is a must-read for anyone aspiring to be a more inclusive and effective leader. Minette Norman’s passion for the subject, combined with her extensive knowledge and practical insights, make this book a valuable resource for leaders seeking to create positive change in their organizations and beyond. It’s not just a book about diversity and inclusion; it’s a guide to becoming a better leader and making a lasting impact on the world. Highly recommended.
Kaoru Miller –
Love listening to Minette reading her own writing with her deep soothing voice. I listened to this book during my commute to work. Her strength to share stories from difficult times, including the time of layoff, makes me feel encouraged and motivated to move forward.Listening to many stories that she shared, I nodded my head many times, feeling connected remembering my own experiences from working in the tech industry in a multi-cultural environment.Those practices included in each chapter are great tips to help us hone leadership skills.I am an Individual Contributor, not necessarily leading a team, but there’s a lot to learn from this book to develop an inclusive work environment.
Amazon CustomerAmazon Customer –
The minute I heard about this book, I knew I needed it, both as a reminder and as a guide for my interactions with a highly-diverse, multi-cultural team — and for better, more conscious living in general. Chapter 6 “Making It Safe: How to Ensure All Voices are Heard” was a true highlight.
John Stankiewicz –
Just finished reading – can’t recommend this book enough!!
ZJ –
First, this is a fantastic book full of very down to earth advice on how to be a leader.Second, there is so much richness in here for how to step up your leadership game and become more inclusive. There are tips like making note of the geographical locations of your team members (so you don’t make someone either wake at 4am nor stay up till 10pm for a meeting), to speaking up to support underrepresented staff who feel constantly shut down, to sending an agenda ahead of a meeting so those who need time to process can actually process info before the meeting.Third, I wish this book had been around the first time I became a manager!I honestly usually hate nonfiction books, but I actually found this book written in a way that was engaging, delightfully lacking in fluff just to make a longer book. It felt like Minette was sitting talking to me about her experiences and what she’s learned over a series of lunches or coffee chats.Highly recommend this book. We all could do with the advice given to become more inclusive in the workplace.
Susanna –
Where the Psychological Safety Handbook, which Minette co-authored with Karolin Helbig was full of practical and easy to implement steps, The Boldly Inclusive Leader is a book to think about and process in quiet moments. I did exactly that, and I needed it.I do think of myself as both a bold and an inclusive leader, and this book gave me what I needed: a way to rethink my view of myself, to identify areas where I could do better and to finetune my approach.Minette’s book also increased my confidence in “leading from the heart”, something that had always felt like I should be doing it, and that I had not always felt brave enough to do as much as I wanted. Now I will.The Boldly Inclusive Leader has everything I look for when working on my own development: thoughtful insights that allow me to push myself and my leadership skills to the next level.
ArianneArianne –
I can’t recommend reading this book & keeping it on your shelf for future reference enough. I’ve bunny-eared and marked almost every page to refer back to — so I probably should take my own advice and read it again, too!This book gives me hope and a blueprint for how to navigate the changing workplace landscape.Management culture has been slow to keep up with the changes we’re seeing in the world (technology & AI, diversity, faster economic rollercoaster cycles, etc). Leadership styles that focus on inclusion, empathy, and cross-directional learning will win because of how these styles support teams that can adapt to change and organically create processes that evolve as the world does.Minette’s book shares excellent, actionable strategies for ANYONE to adopt a new leadership style in order to be more responsive to the new needs of teams. You just have to be willing to accept her message and do the work. The Boldly Inclusive Leader gives you step by step guidance on what to do and how to do it to become the kind of leader today’s workforce needs to be successful.Thank you, Minette, for sharing your work and experiences on this incredibly important topic.
Ben Lichtenwalner –
Author Minette Norman does an excellent job delivering structure and insights for everyone in the DEIA development spectrum: from beginner to advanced. Some of my key takeaways included….1. Emotions are Data: Business leaders often reflect poorly on emotions. Why? We love data everywhere else. We should recognize emotions as another excellent point of data.2. Great Minds Do NOT Think Alike: We’ve all heard and likely used the expression, “Great minds think alike”. It’s wrong. If your group all thinks alike, you’re in danger of group think. It’s a warning sign you need greater diversity of thought.3. Meetings Reveal Culture: How people behave – and are permitted to behave – in your team meetings, reveals the culture of your organization.DEI&A is a part of what I teach and train on a regular basis. I still found many original and useful insights in this book while also recognizing it as a fantastic starting point for leaders who are earlier on their journey down this crucial path. If you’re debating whether to buy a copy, do it now – you won’t regret it.
Tracey Thomas –
I’ve read hundreds of leadership books. This one is rich and non-judgmental with lots of space for the reader to reflect. Norman uses stories from her career to illustrate the subtleties of inclusivity from the point of view of a human who admits she doesn’t always get it right. I love that this book gives real-life ideas to make changes now. It doesn’t blame or make excuses; it considers how everyone is feeling. This book would be excellent for a leadership book club. It is relatable and organized by subjects with many thought provoking stories.
Laura Stepnowski –
This book was a pleasant surprise. In an age where work culture is rapidly changing, Minette’s fresh take on inclusivity and leadership feels like a much-needed guide. Her real-life examples offer a peek into challenges that resonate deeply with those just starting their journey.
Boston –
I love this book. It’s beautifully written and I found it so easy to adopt into my company’s daily practices. Within 1 month of reading The Boldly Inclusive Leader, we overhauled our entire leadership framework and behaviors. Couldn’t recommend highly enough.
LN –
This book is a great read for leaders who want to become more effective in a inclusive way. It requires the willingness to be uncomfortable and change your behavior when needed. I love the stories from the author’s experience and the willingness to share her own challenges and journey to becoming a more bold and inclusive leader.
KatherineBKatherineB –
This is the leadership book everyone needs. Clear language, actionable steps, and inspired point of view. This is not a drawn out thought experiment, this a practical guide rooted in reality on how to do and be better as a leader. Highly recommend.
BMY –
There’s no shortage of books on the topics that Minette Norman covers in The Boldly Inclusive Leader, but hers is a stand out. She takes a relatable approach that includes daily practices and habit building steps, and brings her points to life with stories that brought me back to defining moments in my career. Her guiding question spark reflection and growth and are equally valuable outside of a professional context. Her take on connection, compassion and the listening is incredibly relevant and her exercise on seeing others as ‘just like me’ is made for this moment. Pick this up if you are looking for an achievable path to becoming a more self aware leader.
Eric Richard –
There are a lot of books on inclusivity and leadership, but what set’s this book apart is how grounded in practical and useful advice it is. It is clear that Minette Norman has walked the walk and she includes many useful examples showing both successes and failures in her career that we can all learn from. I loved how humble the author was in acknowledging her own humanity and the mistakes she made and how she learned from them. I really appreciated some of her examples about inclusivity when it comes to a global workforce and how very minor comments (like talking about seasons) can reduce inclusivity. I have already recommended the book to my team as a great tool in their tool belt to help make them better leaders.
Eli Potter –
Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting your leadership journey, the “Boldly Inclusive Leader” offers an intuitive approach to navigating the evolving landscape of leadership with inclusivity at its heart.The book’s actionable insights and relatable guidance empower us to cultivate an environment where every voice is heard, fostering innovation, collaboration, and growth.Minette’s empathetic approach resonates, challenging us all to introspect and evolve. It’s a compass guiding us towards a more compassionate, open-minded, and effective leadership.In a world craving inclusivity, this book is an invaluable asset. Highly recommended!
Davey K. –
When I first picked up The Boldly Inclusive Leader I was skeptical anyone could even be a leader without focusing on “inclusivity” first and foremost. As Minette Norman shows in this excellent work, inclusivity means quite a bit more than inviting people to meetings. While the book ostensibly focuses on leadership, I think the principles Norman lays out regarding how to treat and consider other people apply to any workplace interaction.This book is written clearly and concisely, with many great examples from Norman’s own experience. She guides the reader through her ideas at a zen-like pace, and this work is blissfully free from all of the buzzy pablum you find in most “leadership” reads. Beyond a guide to leaders, I highly recommend this book to anyone at any level who wants to deepen their workplace interactions and become a more effective member of any team at any level.
Josh –
This is an awesome book of leading through authenticity and genuine care. Most leaders force outcomes and use intimidation. I love how this book teaches to inspire through love and empathy. I recommend this for anyone looking to lead the right way!
Nicolo Quimbo –
Unlike the biographies and entrepreneur books, Minette Norman’s “The Boldy Inclusive Leader” seems like a module on leadership as she is not conveying concepts but real-life experience.This is a no non-sense book and my takeaway is at least you must be a manager or is leading a team to level-up and improve your leadership skills after reading this book.This is not how you will “get there” but is “already there” and apply the learnings from this book to become a better, bolder, and inclusive leader.
mary –
Leaders are being pulled in all directions: business pressures, evolving workplace norms, economic and political uncertainty.One of the factors to contributing and delivering to expectations is a healthy team. Everyone needs to feel seen, heard and respected by the people they work with.This starts with leaders and how leaders behave and react.Minette Norman provides a thorough guide for leaders of all levels to create a respectful and productive environment. The work isn’t easy. It takes ongoing commitment and practice to make inclusion a reality, starting with the leader focusing on themselves. With practical, approachable exercises, reality based examples and a human touch, the Boldly Inclusive Leader should be a must read for any leader starting out or wanting to hone their managerial skills. I wish I had this book 10 years ago.
Mimster –
Minette Norman’s The Boldly Inclusive Leader is a book about leadership, and how inclusive principles can make you a bolder, better leader. The author makes a strong case that inclusion makes you a better leader, period. If you turn away people who think, speak, or act differently than you, then you are leaving out the great ideas that those people bring to the workplace.The examples that Norman gives are very relatable; I found myself remembering many times when I found myself not part of the in group—or later, when I was in charge, I realize now that I was excluding and silencing team members for being different. It’s a hard lesson—but Norman shows us we can be even more human by admitting mistakes.Making it safe for everyone to speak, building listening skills, growing our empathy: there’s hope for all of us in these practices. This is a valuable book for all leaders.
Ricky –
Minette has a unique way of telling her stories that go beyond generations or industries. Her wisdom shared in the book are not only relatable, but she also has very practical tips to apply it into our own “real world”. We need more books and leaders like this!
L. Hutter –
Reading “The Boldly Inclusive Leader”, two feelings stood out to me:I felt seen. I found myself nodding “yes!” as she shared personal stories of challenging relationships, difficult situations, and the fresh, insightful learnings that came from her first hand experiences as a woman leader in tech.I felt supported. Her thought provoking “questions to ask yourself” at the end of each chapter made me feel like I was receiving guidance from a trusted mentor. Being a leader in general can be tough. Minette’s book is an invaluable resource filled with actionable ideas and insights that I’ll be revisiting again.
Victoria –
I saw this book on @unleashtheknowledge and had to get it. We need more conversations around this. Our world is evolving and leaders need to follow suit to being more inclusive. Minette provides amazing insights in her book. Check it out!
Justine R Crosby –
Boldly Inclusive Leader is a treasure trove of stories, strategies, and wisdom. As I turned each page, I found myself nodding along to the relatable anecdotes, and the clear, actionable guidance felt like a roadmap to creating a workplace where diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords but the backbone of our culture. Any leader who’s ever asked themselves, ‘How can I make sure every single employee feels seen, heard, and empowered?’ needs to pick up this book.
Dan Samuals –
The Boldly Inclusive Leader by Minette Norman deserves all the praise it has earned thus far and so much more.The time, experience, and thought Minette has put into the work and this book is evident in every page. Pages that every leader across organizations/companies would benefit from reading and implementing. Though inclusivity is a hot button issue right now, so few organizations are effective with their implementation and that’s where this book comes in.The pieces of advice doled out is just as compelling as the arguments supporting them. And to make it even easier for the reader, the author compiles a helpful list daily practices for us to incorporate and important questions for us to ask ourselves.Like anything worth doing, Minette Norman makes it clear that inclusivity comes from committing and putting in the reps.
Robert Morris –
It is no coincidence that companies annually ranked among those that are most highly admired and best to work for are also annually ranked among those most profitable, and have the greatest cap value in their industry segment. However different they may be in most ways, all of them have boldly inclusive leadership at all levels and in all areas of the given enterprise.Norman is an empiricist who takes a pragmatic approach with relentless curiosity: she is determined (obsessed?) with understanding what works, what doesn’t…and WHY. (She agrees with Simon Sinek that “every change initiative begins with why.”) Her focus throughout this book is on HOW to transform a workplace and its workforce by valuing, indeed embracing and celebrating the differences. With rare exception, that tends to be the “secret sauce” of a workplace culture within which personal growth and professional development are most likely to thrive.Minette Norman draws upon wide and deep experience in the business world in order to share the most valuable lessons she has learned. She provides an abundance of information, insights, and counsel. These are among the hundreds of key points that caught my eye. None is a head snapper, nor does she make any such claim. Think of them as helpful reminders.o Setting a positive and inclusive tone means ensuring you invite people with diverse experiences and ways of thinking to share their ideas and ask the hard questions.o It takes ongoing commitment and practice to make inclusion a realityo Every leader has the responsibility to continuously learn and develop their skills, including how to interact with staff and peers in an ever-evolving workplace.o Human connection is the foundation of creating an inclusive environment.o We can’t underestimate the need for people to be heard, seen, and respected, which is what inclusion is all about.o Be generous in helping others as they navigate their careers and professional journeys.o Beig a human leader means showing up as an imperfect person, with all your strengths and all your flaws.o Do not tolerate the bullies who may be the “toxic rockstars” or “brilliant jerks” in your organization.o We have no idea what anyone else is dealing with until we get to know them, listen to them, and try to understand what they are experiencing.o The more you can invite other points of view and perspectives, the more your team members will feel they’re in a safe environment to challenge and debate ideas with principled candor.o When team members don’t feel safe, you cannot leverage their diverse experiences, perspectives, and ways of thinking.o Don’t let the fear of doing something wrong keep you from taking the next step — if it’s the right step — on your journey of inclusive leadership.o Every meeting is an opportunity for every person to feel seen, heard, and respected…and that they belong.o It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of empathy.When making efforts to strengthen communication, cooperation, and (especially) collaboration between and among those in the given workplace environment, it would be a good idea to keep this advice from Theodore Roosevelt clearly in mind: “People won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”Here are two other suggestions: While reading The Boldly Inclusive Leader, I urge you to highlight key passages, and, record your comments, questions, action steps (preferably with deadlines) and page references as well as your responses to questions posed throughout the narrative and to lessons you have learned. Pay special attention to the end-of-chapter exercises: “Daily Practice, “Weekly Practiced,” and “Questions to Ask Yourself.” Complete lists can be found on Pages 158-164. These two simple tactics will facilitate, indeed expedite frequent reviews of key material later.
sf –
Minette Norman does an excellent job of explaining how inclusivity is table stakes in today’s business world. Not only is an inclusive mindset a moral imperative but it is a competitive differentiator. Companies will be left behind with the command and control tactics of yesteryear.Minette goes step-by-step in this book taking the reader along a leadership path on how to lead with inclusion and belonging. There’s a whole lot to being the type of leader that she advocates for but the steps are small and achievable and there are practice suggestions at the end of each chapter. Minette clearly has a lot of leadership experience and has 0 qualms about sharing the good, the bad and the ugly from her career. In this way, she is fully walking the walk as she advocates for a more inclusive, human approach to inspiring and leading teams.
Rachael Provenzale –
Great Read! The world we live in right now is ever changing , so we should be to. Inclusivity is beyond important and this book makes it easy to understand and embrace. Minette Norman explains how diversity is truly a strength in any organization. If every employee was exactly the same and had the same skill set you would have no room for growth. Leaders who support inclusivity create a workplace that is comfortable where everyone feels their voice is or can be heard. Learn to level up through real life experiences and great leadership advice.
Mr. Robbie Fenlon –
What I like the most about The Boldly Inclusive Leader is the personal stories that Minette uses generously throughout to explain and illustrate the concepts she introduces. What a brilliant way to serve it is, to put in the world a book that shares your own corporate experience as a manager and top executive. Thanks Minette!
Guy Martin –
If you interviewed most leaders today, a majority of them would probably agree that the best teams, in business, or in life, are diverse and inclusive. We’ve passed the stage where there is a lot of debate on this.However, what’s been missing to this point is a comprehensive playbook for leaders – an authentic look at the joys and challenges of being a boldly inclusive leader. Minette Norman shares her experience, but more importantly, her empathetic wisdom in this book. Chock full of relevant stories, but also practical tips to help all leaders develop the necessary ‘muscle memory’ to be their best.Minette has given the world a great gift here – turning both positive and challenging life experiences into a digestible and practical roadmap to help set you on the path to better leadership – a journey that is lifelong, but very much worth it. This book is relevant to both business and personal settings – all of the learnings in this book can be applied to building great relationships/teams outside of work as well.Highly recommended – a quick and engaging read!
Gena Cox –
Against the backdrop of her own experiences of exclusion, Minette Norman has learned how to be the opposite; an inclusive leader. And in this book, she offers a practical, experiential guide for how you can help build organizations where all can thrive. Full of tips, exercises, and inspiration, this book proves that inclusion begins with you. And enables you to take that bold journey.
Alex –
Loved it! Very useful for anyone building a team.
DrHBDrHB –
When I learned about Minette’s book I looked forward to its arrival so I could dig into its pages. What a delight! Each page and chapter draws you in and breaks down what it truly means to be an inclusive leader. The chapters are nicely laid out and build on each other. Beginning with “It starts with you” the subsequent ones unfold with other valuable topics including, “Learning to Listen,” “Communication from the Heart,” “Making it Safe” and “Embracing Differences.” I appreciated that each chapter includes daily and weekly practices, as well as insight questions to ask yourself. Minette’s thoughtfulness in offering these actionable practices and introspective questions gave me specific ideas of how to immediately practice inclusive leadership. Throughout each page the book highlights and compels each of us to be catalysts of change so that our workplaces and communities can transform into a spirit of inclusivity, acceptance and respect. I also appreciated Minette’s own authenticity, transparency and openness as she shared her experiences, stumbles, successes, insights and learnings. I applaud her for so graciously and courageously inviting us into her personal experiences so that we may learn from her. Her writing is personal and compelling. Its relatable and draws you in. The Boldly Inclusive Leader is packed with deep insights, personal stories and practical strategies that call forward the reader toward transformative action.
Ji-Hyun PARK –
This book provides valuable insights and perspectives for every leader, even those who consider themselves as seasoned and bold leaders and managers. The author provides real-life examples (and conversations that take place in our everyday workplaces) and offers practical tips and actionable recommendations that we can incorporate easily into our day-to-day management. The list of questions at the end of each chapter (things we should ask ourselves before each meeting or after a week of grueling project) helps us become better stewards of her key principles through planning and introspection.We all need to use different dials to manage teams of various sizes, culture, chemistry and purposes, and this book gives you a tool to embrace the differences and build a stronger team with empathy and compassion. As the author emphasizes, differences are part of healthy problems and great minds should NOT think alike all the time!
Elaine L –
Minette is the kind, clear voice of reason and compassion in a world that so often lacks all those things. Like the Psychological Safety Playbook, the Boldly Inclusive Leader is imminently practical. Questions to ask yourself and Weekly Practices at the end of each book mean that you can start practicing bold inclusion right away. My biggest takeaway: being an iconoclast is part of practicing unflinching inclusion.
Karen CatlinKaren Catlin –
Whether you’re new to a leadership position or looking for a refresher of best practices, check out this new book by Minette Norman. She covers an array of leadership topics such as empathetic listening, building trust, psychological safety, culture building, and more, exploring how each intersects with being inclusive. (Psst: Since inclusion is the new competitive edge for leaders, you’ll want to read this book.)Just one tip: Avoid group think with the clever phrase, “Great minds don’t think alike.”– Karen Catlin, author of “Better Allies
Stephen Smith –
“The Boldly Inclusive Leader: Transform Your Workplace (and the World) by Valuing the Differences Within” by Minette Norman (a fellow Bay Area resident! Whoop!). This book is my latest stop on my journey of learning on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Minette’s practical advice is fantastic, her personal stories are relatable, and she offers daily practices, weekly practices, and questions to ask youself as you practice being a boldly inclusive leader. I highly recommend this book.
Kelly Mackin –
This book is deeply meaningful and full of critical mindset shifts and actionable ways to not just talk about DEI, but to really LIVE it. Minette helps you understand and even more importantly take action on the most critical aspects of leadership needed today, things like psychological safety, compassion, connection and being an active ally. It’s full of powerful real life stories along with really great tips for daily and weekly practices. I loved how conversational and approachable this book is compared to others I have read in the DEI space.If you want to identify as a boldly inclusive leader, create a more human workplace, or and just be more inclusive at work, this book is for you!
Martin Harrysson –
“Boldly Inclusive Leader” by Minette Norman is a transformative guide for modern leaders. Norman’s insightful approach to leadership emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, making it a timely and essential read. Her pragmatic strategies help leaders foster inclusive cultures that benefit both individuals and organizations. Norman draws from her extensive experience at companies like Autodesk to provide real-world examples and actionable advice. The book’s engaging storytelling and practical exercises make it accessible to leaders at all levels. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking to navigate today’s complex workplace dynamics while championing diversity and inclusion. Norman’s wisdom is both inspiring and actionable, setting a new standard for inclusive leadership.
Owen SOwen S –
Transforming yourself and your business to becoming more inclusive can be super daunting.Especially these days, with the business-as-usual mindset.Minette Norman understands that our current models of leadership haven’t done a great job of adopting and changing business practices that prepare our companies for the ever-changing world.That’s why she poured her years of professional experience into writing The Boldly Inclusive Leader: Transform your workplace (and the world) by valuing the differences within.She believes in the importance of our diversity and uses specific skills to change the playing field of the modern workplace while driving change in the businesses we run and eventually realizing our full potential.She wrote this book so that we can make these business practices a reality.The Boldly Inclusive Leader is designed to help you unlock a new mindset, perspectives, and empathy needed to improve your business.It’s filled with stories of experience, tips, and daily/weekly guided advice that you can use to your advantage and start creating a high-performing, innovative business culture.This book is going to help you understand what it means to be an inclusive leader and provide tangible steps to get there as a leader.Minette makes it a point to teach you the skills you’ll need to break down the outdated barriers of past business practices, how to look within, and transform yourself into an Inclusive Leader.So if you are in a leadership role, you could use a little help with developing your inclusive leadership skills, then you need to get this book ASAP.
Queen –
“The boldly Inclusive Leader” by Minette Norman is a remarkable guide for anyone striving to be a more inclusive leader in today’s diverse world. Having met Minette during my time at Autodesk, I can personally attest to her embodiment of the principles discussed in the book. She combines her wealth of experience and practical approach making the book accessible to leaders of all levels. In a world where leadership requires a dynamic and inclusive mindset, “The boldly Inclusive Leader” is a must-read, it offers a comprehensive and actionable guide for anyone looking to be a more effective, influential and empathetic leader.
Kevin D. Wilde –
“The Boldly Inclusive Leader” by Minette Norman is a transformative guide that stands as a beacon for anyone seeking to champion diversity and inclusivity in today’s corporate landscape. With impeccable credibility, Minette Norman, a former executive with a distinguished career, has harnessed her extensive experience to become a leading consultant, helping organizations pave the way for inclusive cultures. Her latest endeavor is a masterclass in practicality, offering readers a detailed roadmap towards inclusive leadership.This book bridges the gap between intention and action, providing a clear and actionable blueprint for leaders committed to making their workplaces more diverse and equitable. Norman combines her personal experiences and insights into a terrific resource of real-world strategies, guiding the reader step-by-step through the often daunting journey of inclusive leadership. Her insights and anecdotes are relatable and inspirational, making it a fresh and relevant guide for today’s leadership challenges.”The Boldly Inclusive Leader” is a refreshing resource that empowers readers to challenge the status quo and become catalysts for change within their organizations. Minette Norman’s exceptional background and her invaluable insights make this book a must-read for anyone ready to take the bold steps toward a more inclusive, innovative, and ultimately successful future.
AB –
This book is full of insightful reflections, reminders, and practical advice for exercising core skills like self-awareness, empathy, and compassion that everyone can develop to become a better and more inclusive leader at a human level.The author draws from her extensive personal experiences to share stories that elegantly illustrate many of the inclusivity challenges we all witness and experience in the workplace, whether as a contributors or leaders on our teams, and provides straightforward practical advice for improving the dynamics of these situations. I highly recommend everyone read this book.
Emily Crookston –
The Boldly Inclusive Leader is a powerful book. Minette Norman’s clear, thoughtful, and expert writing combined with her beautiful storytelling makes this a must-read for leaders looking to transform their workplaces. I learned so much about the mindset shifts and behavior changes that leaders can make to infuse a sense of belonging among their teams. I also appreciated how each chapter offers daily and weekly practices to help us sharpen our skills. I recommend this book to any leader who strives to be a champion of DEIB. As Minette says, “we are all works in progress,” so being boldly inclusive is a matter of practice, not perfection.
John Schrag –
The Boldly Inclusive Leader is a book for any manager who wants to make their organization a better place to work, and themself a better manager. It’s about leaning into your humanity, courage and curiosity to create a work environment where all your staff can flourish — the kind of environment that will drive both engagement and retention.Minette Norman leads by example in her writing. She draws lessons from her own experiences, and is not afraid to share her own mistakes and what she learned from them (a key leadership skill for building trust in a team!). Aside from the principles and storytelling in each chapter, there are also daily or weekly practices you can try for yourself. (These are all pulled together into one section at the end of the book as a useful reference, too.) So the book manages to be informative, inspiring, human, and very practical.Management research shows that a majority of people managers get no management training when they start out, and when they do it tends to skip over critical human and culture-building skills. So I think this book would certainly be valuable for anyone starting out as a manager. But also — as I know from sad experience — there are a lot of experienced managers who could really benefit from it as well.
Ty Dew –
In a day when so many companies have a DEI statement, it was inspiring to read Minette Norman’s book on what that means and how to implement it as a leader.The book reinforces that it is one thing to say you are inclusive on paper – but it is another to actually believe in the concept and show it in your actions as a leader. Norman uses stories from her own experiences as a leader to help guide managers on both positive steps and mistakes to avoid while creating a more inclusive workplace.Key topics covered are that inclusivity takes practice, a leader sets the tone but the overall culture is set by everyone as a whole, and progress in only made through action.This is a book that could benefit leaders in all industries to help cultivate a culture where everyone has a voice and can feel comfortable bringing their strengths to the table.
Nan Crawford –
Minette Norman artfully shares clear, practical steps to navigate the often difficult dynamics of work. The book offers an insightful view of larger dynamics, as well as specific language we can use in day to day and sometimes daunting conversations… Norman’s deep wisdom & insight comes from decades of leading in the tech industry. With courage, clarity, empathy, & humor, she guides readers through the important work of our time — of creating workplace cultures of trust & respect & joy.
Nelle Sacknoff –
The Boldly Inclusive Leader by Minette Norman equips leaders at all levels— whatever stage you are in your diversity and inclusion journey. This book provides skills and practical coaching that meets the reader where you are, and helpfully guides through the process. Three ways I thought this was unique to other books of this topic and will be extremely valuable throughout my career:– Norman helps make the business case and provides the what, why, and benefits of us to drive improvement in diversity and inclusion in work environments— and the cost of not prioritizing it. She states the importance of belonging, safe sharing of ideas, empathy, and setting the right tone.– The style of this book will connect with others at all stages and levels of inclusive leadership. Real-life examples from Norman’s extensive and successful career, lessons learned, and data-backed examples are combined with compelling storytelling to make her guidance and instruction even more effective.– The format and layout of this book is practical, and just as this work is an on-going process of growth and learning— it enables reusability. The book makes it easy for a reader to jump in and out to use for reference as needed with three parts: 1) guidance for the individual leader to grow and improve 2) guidance for the leader relating to others and supporting others more effectively 3) guidance for increasing impact through gaining/increasing support for this work, leveraging resources to support you and others, and more.
Michele –
“Being a human leader means inviting other perspectives and letting go of the need to be right.” – Chapter 4.All leaders . . . or rather, all humans can learn several things from this book. Minette’s experiences are relatable, and she’s turned them into teachable moments. Simple suggestions and actionable practices complete each chapter (which I will employ in my day-to-day).Thank you for writing this much-needed book.
Noel Dávila –
In today’s modern business world, things are changing. Everything is moving towards more inclusive and diverse business practices. This book is a great place to start understanding and implementing these new practices. The Boldly Inclusive Leader shows you how to empower yourself as a leader and then apply it to the business for everyone’s success! I highly recommend this book for business leaders.
Tammo –
I was given the honor of pre-reading Minette Norman’s book and right from the preface, Minette comes out delivering “body blows”! She shared what so many of us who have been minoritized feel. Whether it was “having to prove herself” or being “demoted,” she is coming at the topic of inclusive leadership from a lived experience perspective. Her noting that companies want to be inclusive, yet, the leaders are not ready to lead inclusively, is a gut punch to those in the C-Suite (are you listening?).Chapter One: Do the Hard WorkMinette rightfully calls upon leaders to put on their oxygen masks first and do the inner work that, if done honestly, can lay the foundation for becoming an inclusive leaders. She challenges leaders with terms like data which are used every day in business to enable quick assimilation. She highlights the need for leaders to demonstrate emotional intelligence and to acknowledge their feelings in order not to control them but to leverage them. To hold them in tension until they can assess them for what they were and how they served them.Without being condescending, she highlights that context matters and encourages leaders to consider this globally through the lens of our hybrid reality. Finally, she reminds the reader of the importance when delivering a message and the need to consider their audience and how you want them to feel. What good does it do to pontificate on what you want to convey if you leave the audience feeling less than others?Yes, some of what she espouses in this first chapter is common sense, while other of it you may have learned in B-School. Nevertheless, the point here is to be where your feet are and lead from your head and heart.Chapter Two: Embrace the SuckIn the military, we had a saying we uttered when we faced a SNAFU, Embrace the Suck, and without using that terminology, this is what Minette advocates for. None of us as humans, much less as leaders, have all the answers; therefore, if we are to lead inclusively, we must do so, eyes wide open.Whether it is as a male, leading, engaging, or advocating for women, or as someone from the dominant class engaging, advocating for, or supporting someone or a group of minoritzed individuals, the inclusive leader must lean into it fully. As with anything, whether it’s promoting a new idea, product, or process, there’s an element of fear that must be acknowledged and addressed.Will you make mistakes? Yes. If we’re honest, perhaps more than one. An inclusive leader must accept this and learn from them. They must admit when they do and take the necessary actions to mitigate them and build bridges of repair and growth. Using another military term, the inclusive leader must run to the fight and do so not with the tools of war but, having assessed the issue, reframe the question and then demonstrate a willingness to be a change agent.To lead inclusively, we must leave our comfort zones and be of the mindset of Helen Keller, who said, “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”The same is true of leading inclusively.Chapter Three: Not Waiting to Speak; Hearing with Your HeartThis chapter digs into the heart level! Minette states what we all know; we want to know that we matter. We want to know that we are seen, I mean really seen. If you are a leader, this, more than anything else, will determine how you are viewed. Any of us can hold the title of leader, but the determining factor is whether those we lead state that we are. Listening goes a long way in determining whether or not we are.An inclusive leader enters into a conversation not with a canned response but with an open heart and mind and listens authentically. Minette highlights the numerous competing elements which are vying for our attention, yet, she emphasizes the importance of being present. An inclusive leader must listen wholly and intently and stave off the impetus of drawing conclusions and preparing a response before hearing the whole point the person is making. (Heaven help us if the person speaking is rambling on and on, in which case, an inclusive leader would do well to reflect what they thought they heard emphasis mine).As previously stated, an inclusive leader must be self-aware, and one of the outcomes is detecting when our defensive hackles are being stoked. Again, this is where we must draw upon emotional intelligence and calm ourselves. Minette draws upon a “Coveyism” that, as a former Intel employee, is seared into my subconscious, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” She builds upon this and challenges the reader to apply it to how to listen to diverse voices to lead inclusively.Lastly, she encourages inclusive leaders to be curious.Like in each chapter, Minette invites the reader to establish a daily and weekly practice to reinforce what they have learned and provide thought-provoking questions that help reframe our perceptive.Chapter Four: TRUST or #BeHumanMinette opens this one with a body blow! Having been on both sides of the restructuring reality, the opening experience resonated with me. The advice given here is to be human. To do so, we must own our emotions and what we are feeling; more than that, rather than put on the air of invincibility, we must choose to be vulnerable, to be seen for what we are. Leaders who do this are winsome, and they foster inclusivity. Minette challenges leaders to be self-aware and to seek feedback, for we all have blind spots which, left unchecked, could have negative impacts on those we are leading. The bottom line here is trust and what it takes to establish it. One of your cheat codes would be that we are all broken people who live and lead out of our brokenness and are adequately managed; our humanity can serve us well. To be inclusive leaders, we must be willing to take risks, make mistakes, own them, and learn from them. If we do this, it will go a long way in helping us be the leaders this and future generations of employees deserve.Chapter Five: Full Throttle CaringMinette captures the two main elements that inclusive leaders must have and that with them, it will help their ability to connect with those they lead. The need for empathy and compassion must be understood, developed, and nurtured. This is not just some rote exercise; the ability to look beyond our perspective and privilege to make others feel seen and heard cannot be overstated. Drawing from her own experience, Minette fills this chapter with applicable and meaningful direction, which, applied correctly, can go a long way in transforming us from leaders to inclusive leaders. The “Just Like Me” practice, coupled with listening and curiosity about the employee, their lived experience, and what makes them unique, will set leaders apart. Minette points out that demonstrating these traits does not prevent leaders from managing outcomes. Instead, it’s a guide for balancing and enabling leaders to improve.Chapter Six: Fostering SafetyOnce again, Minette comes out swinging, and her blow is poignant. To lead inclusively, we must establish and fight for psychological safety that runs deep and wide. Like many of the topics in the space, psychological safety is nuanced. Whether in the ERO or other safe spaces we navigate, there is no place more important for this to exist than the organization at EVERY level. For the minute someone feels unsafe, this is when you stop getting their best output.Lack of psychological safety contributes to numerous maladies under the surface of organizations. Using terms like “disagree and commit” further diminishes safety, making it all the more critical that leaders root out unsafe practices and policies within their organizations. In this chapter, Minette provides easy-to-adopt strategies which help establish a psychologically safe environment. From welcoming other perspectives to celebrating informed failures and the lessons they produce, applying them will help teams thrive under our leadership.Chapter Seven: Everything does not revolve around San JoseIf attempting to lead inclusively wasn’t challenging enough, add hybrid work and global talent distribution, and our job as leaders gets harder. More complicated in a good way. This forces us to de-center everything we consider normative. Inclusive leaders must widen the lens to understand the factors contributing to high-performing teams fully.Minette notes that it’s not enough to acknowledge difference but must embrace and celebrate it. Adding complexity to this is the many intersectional differences that continue to evolve. One of the ways to widen our lens and become more inclusive leaders is through storytelling. Creating safe spaces where people can share, and others can connect is vital. We must create intimacy and safety for our teams.Minette masterfully dissects the topic of challenging our bias and provides tools and thought prompts to help us navigate this area. She also rightfully points out that having diverse representation across our teams is table stakes toward meeting our inclusive culture objectives. Inclusivity is like a muscle, it must be exercised, or it will atrophy. As leaders, we must look for anything distracting us from our objectives. To achieve our objectives, we must be bold in having difficult conversations in this space.Minette briefly touches on a topic I wish she had doubled down on, the need for joy in the workplace. In a post-COVID reality, the mental health aspect of what employees are dealing with… we could all benefit from a little more joy.Minette succinctly captures the impact of on-the-job bullying and what inclusive leaders must do about it. Tolerance of bullying will cause irreparable damage to individuals and organizations. Bullies are like termites; therefore, their behavior must be decisively rooted out.Lastly, Minette does not leave us looking through rose-colored glasses. She lays out some of the potential obstacles inclusive leaders may face and reminds us as leaders of our responsibility to use our voices to speak up for the voiceless.Chapter Eight: Meetings Meetings, MeetingsMinette points out something many of us may not consider; meetings offer telltale signs about who we are as a team, an organization. She then provides inclusive leaders with tools that help ensure meetings are inclusive. From deciding if there needs to be a meeting and, if so, providing an agenda, ensuring those invited genuinely need to attend, to ground rules for the meeting and its etiquette, everything is included. since meetings are a necessary element of business, inclusive leaders must focus on roles and responsibilities during the meeting. An ebb and flow of meetings must be accounted for and managed.Meetings must be predictable and manageable. As leaders, we must use the tools and best practices to ensure meetings reach their intended purpose. The larger the meeting, the more diverse the toolset needs to be. Just like in our in-person environments, intersectionality must be accounted for.I especially like that Minette called out the benefits of facilitated meetings and how to implement this within our teams.Chapter Nine: Mentor, Sponsor, Ally“Mentoring ain’t easy and nor is it for the faint-hearted” This is not a direct quote from the book but the gist of the first few paragraphs. Sharing her own experience, Minette points out the reality of mentoring and establishes the practice’s necessity. The chapter provides inclusive leaders with the tools, tips, tricks, and data to help them establish the “Why” behind their actions. As pointed out in an earlier chapter, mentorship requires us to be present, and to be present, and we must be prepared.Making the leap from mentor to sponsor is not the objective of the mentor relationship, as only some mentees will become a sponsee for any number of reasons. However, different tools are required to effect different outcomes for those that do or become a sponsor. Minette provides a decent list noting what people are looking for in a sponsor, and she rightfully points out the power a sponsor holds both wittingly and unwittingly.Finally, she calls out allyship and how we can use our influence for good as leaders. She notes that allyship is not a one-time thing but requires continuous learning and practice. Being an ally comes with risks that must be accepted, and we must not be afraid of making mistakes, as allyship is a journey.Chapter 10: Every Single DayInclusive leadership does not come with a day off! Furthermore, this book, a seminar on DEI, a Ted Talk from a leader in this space, or any other one-time action will achieve the objective of becoming an inclusive leader. Again, as previously stated, an inclusive leader must do the hard work. We must start with ourselves, the good, the bad, and the ugly. We must embrace the suck, and we will arrive on the other side of this as better leaders, better human beings.Being better leaders contributes to more significant team outcomes as we model being the people we want our people to be. When we do so, it goes a long way in helping create psychologically safe environments that our teams can thrive in.And finally, if we put into practice the tactics espoused in this book, we can become inclusive leaders and infectious leaders. By being the leader that we love to be led by, we open up a world of possibilities. We make not just our workplaces better but, perhaps, the world and that’s a good thing.
K. Ruggieri –
Minette Norman’s “Boldly Inclusive Leadership” is a practical guide for leaders committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. Throughout the book, Minette recounts relatable stories from her experience as a leader in the technology industry that help bring the concepts to life. By sharing her path to becoming a boldly inclusive leader, Minette gives others permission to make mistakes as they embark on their own journeys.Each chapter ends with recommendations on how to put the concepts into practice and questions to ask yourself. The result is a comprehensive toolkit for leaders who are truly invested in transforming their workplaces.
K. Storti –
Through the lens of many years in the workplace, her take on leadership felt authentic and grounded. The way she unravels inclusivity is both thoughtful and seasoned, reminiscent of lessons learned over decades. A refreshing find in a sea of leadership guides.
BMom –
We’ve all been in groups that don’t feel like a team; ones that felt like competitors gathered in an org structure distracted by fear of leadership. We’ve known leaders who wanted to do better but didn’t get the feedback they needed. This book gives those who want to be leaders direct examples of how to create teams that will openly share all sides of a solution. It’s empowering.
Jena –
Highly recommended for people leaders who really want to up their game and get the most out of their team. This book challenges the reader to reflect on whether they are following the most important principles toward creating a workplace where everyone can fully contribute. It doesn’t dumb down this complicated endeavor, but it makes the hard stuff more approachable with real-world stories and daily and weekly practices. I found the book un-pretentious, really practical and inspiring. It will stay on my desk for easy reference, it’s the kind of book that keeps giving.
VidNo –
Minette’s experience in the high tech industry and her insight into what it takes to be an amazing leader is reflected in her book, “Boldly Inclusive Leader.”She dives deep to uncover the true talents of a respected, effective and inclusive leader. One can discern that, through her experiences and storytelling, Minette has thoughtfully searched long and hard for the true essence of a leader. Her authenticity is evident and her human side, as I will always remember Minette, are striking (we worked at the same company).What makes “Boldly Inclusive Leader” so easy to read and real are the insights and actionable items Minette suggests as part of an outstanding leader’s journey. To lead with empathy and respect for your entire team can only result in positive outcomes while maintaining the leader’s integrity, and genuine and human side. “Boldly Inclusive Leader” is a winner and a must read for any leader!
Laurie BishopLaurie Bishop –
Not only is this book thoughtfully educational, it’s a very engaging read!I pick it up for inspiration in the mornings before work – sometimes just 10 minutes at a time.Her stories about life in a large company are compelling and relatable and her solutions in the forms of questions and tips helped me become more aware of my own thoughts, biases and behaviors as well as how to support the people around me.I highly recommend this book to any leader, of any company size!
Pat –
In The Boldly Inclusive Leader, M. Norman has written a book that is a deceptively “simple,”easy and entertaining read, at once eminently accessible, inclusive, and relevant to anyone who works with other people – whether they are in leadership positions, or even if they are not. Her writing style and stories (including personal successes and failures) demonstrate what she advocates: clear compassionate communication, vulnerability in leadership, psychological safety, the power of storytelling, active listening, etc., etc. and by doing so, she is able to distill a large amount of research based information, personal experimentation, and experiential learning in under 200 pages, complete with practical exercises and reflections that make the transition from theory to practice approachable and non-threatening. Having studied and coached communication, inclusivity, and leadership in multiple and various arenas already, I was surprised and delighted that within a couple pages I was truly enjoying the storytelling, within a few pages I was grabbing my highlighter and pencil to take notes. And within a couple chapters I was experimenting with the reflections and exercises. I know I will be reading this more than once, keeping it on my shelf as a personal resource and recommending it to my peers across many different disciplines.
Anastasia Wehrenberg –
In this book, Minette Norman shows you things you can do to become an inclusive leader. Each chapter focuses on a single action that you can do and it incorporates stories to help drive the point home. Additionally, the chapters end with a daily practice, a weekly practice and questions to ask yourself.There are many wonderful ideas in this book and I see myself rereading portions as a reference in the future. If you want to make your workplace or team more inclusive, you should pick up this book and begin your journey.
Oren –
Being an inclusive leader is not only of service to your team, organization, or the broader company mission. It’s in service to us all and where we need to go as a society.For all the great guidance available, there’s plenty of DEI fluff out there, too. It skips the part of taking personal responsibility for the lack of awareness that prevents us from being inclusive.The reality is that if we want to lead inclusively, we need to start with ourselves.There is no stepwise formula to being a more inclusive, more human leader, and showing up in that way consistently. This is a practice that starts from the inside and works its way out, and it is a very challenging one to describe at that.Beyond another framework, process, or mindset shift, this book guides you along the journey of including all aspects of yourself at work and how to offer up your grounded and safe leadership as a platform for those you work with to contribute with their full, authentic selves, too.
Vaibhav –
The Boldly Inclusive Leader is a must-read for any leader who wants to create a more inclusive and equitable workplace. Minette Norman provides practical advice and insights on how to build a culture where everyone feels valued and respected.Norman covers a wide range of topics, including unconscious bias, microaggressions, and allyship. She also shares stories from her own experiences as a leader in Silicon Valley.The Boldly Inclusive Leader is a well-written and informative book that will challenge you to think differently about leadership and inclusion. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to make a difference in their workplace.
Elisabeth Best –
Minette immediately pulls you in with this book; it’s an absolute must-read for modern leaders who want to lead thoughtfully and inclusively. From setting the tone to listening as a superpower and creating safer spaces, this book helps readers explore how we can show up in support of a future that works for all of us.
Anonymous –
This is a book for any leader looking to grow and up their skills at being truly inclusive. Through stories that anyone can relate to, Minette provides a ton of much needed practical and actionable guidance. This is truly accessible and worth a read, or two or three!!
Robin M. Weinick –
I was fortunate enough to receive an advance copy, and highly recommend the book.Minette Norman writes about discomfort, listening, communication, empathy, culture, and being a mentor, and sponsor, and an ally.My favorite part is the “Questions to Ask Yourself” section at the end of each chapter, and her recommendations for daily and weekly practice.Whether you’re new to leadership or have a 20-year history in the C-Suite, you’ll think differently by the time you’ve finished the book.
Charles & Amanda Szekula –
This is a great book for today’s modern leadership roles. If you want to elevate your staff and company to its full potential I highly recommend this book. It gives you different perspectives to becoming a more inclusive leader. Break away from the norms of business leadership and into a new era.
Micol G –
As someone who is only four years into my career in inclusive services, it was a great joy to follow Minette through her early professional experiences to the present time. Minette did an excellent job providing readers a peek inside of her mind as she developed throughout the years, and this insight gave me a better sense of my professional timeline, my positionally in inclusive services, my strengths, and some of the challenges I may face moving forward. Despite the timely and loaded topic, the tone of the book is extremely inviting, comprehensive and digestable and you will walk away feeling on fire with motivation to be the best leader you can be.
Rivkah –
As someone who coaches executive leaders, I appreciate how down to earth are Norman’s observations and suggestions. I enjoyed and have used this thoughtful book!!
Justin M. Lokitz –
DEIB is more than just talk or something we ‘should’ do; it’s an absolute must for every organization and leader that wishes to design a business that matters…and that’s able to navigate the murky waters of the future. In “The Boldly Inclusive Leader”, Minette Norman lays out exactly why DEIB means and why diverse teams are so important. What’s more, she makes an incredible case for doing this in our everyday lives, beyond the organization. Honestly, this is a must for every leader!
Chief Tree Hugger –
To talk about inclusivity in business and leadership is like defining consciousness. You know what it is and you know what it isn’t, but how do you measure it? It’s as obvious as it is elusive. But this is where Norman breaks down inclusive leadership in the most practical, digestible and approachable of ways. I very much appreciated how this was an invitation to being human and getting to the root of what’s most important: Connection. Norman doesn’t talk at you, she talks with you as if you’re at lunch together sharing wisdom and real experiences. Best part about this very important and timely book is that it’s a very clear and actionable roadmap of 10 steps for real transformation. There is so much to consume in this day and age, too much!, but The Boldly Inclusive Leader cuts through the noise and should be required reading for every leader intending to do right by the people they serve.
Cynthia Chan –
Working in a multinational company with employees across the globe means you are often working with folks from a different cultural background. For any leader to be effective in creating an engaging and innovative environment one has to learn how to be truly inclusive.Minette’s The boldly inclusive leader provides such practical advice on how one can move towards the path of inclusive leadership by challenging our own framing and thinking. I love her quote ‘Inclusive leadership requires us to hear information and viewpoints that often will make us uncomfortable’If we all can focus on listening to understand and learn from others like the book emphasizes we will all be in a better place to bring out the best of each other.I can’t recommend the book enough to everyone who aspire to be a better leader.
Michael Randel –
In this new book, Minette reflects on her career and experiences as a senior leader in a global software company.She outlines 10 key things that she learnt as she developed into a “Boldly Inclusive Leader” (Hint – she was not one when she launched her career!).These 10 lessons are, as you would expect from Minette, practical, honest and real. And we can all benefit from adopting these lessons to help us become better leaders!Minette is willing to show us how tough this journey is, and also why it matters that our organizations are led by boldly inclusive leaders!Warning – don’t view this as a book about “DEI” or for “DEI Leaders” – Minette’s messages are relevant for all leaders!
obereg –
This is the 2nd book by Minette Norman that I read, and while the first book was also very impactful and a great read, this one really resonated with me – I have been in those situations, I have made those mistakes, I have been treated in a way that made me wonder how I even got into this room in the first place. The books talks about empathy, listening, giving space while providing guideance – and one can also feel that there is a highly empathic and emotionally engaged person behind it. Highly recommended, whatever corporate role you are in, or own your business, or consult individually – there is something in this book for everyone.
Neha Mandhani –
I can’t recommend this book enough. If you are a leader, creating an inclusive and psychologically safe culture is your responsibility and this book will both inspire you but also give you tools and practices on how you can translate your intentions into actions.This book is simple yet incredibly effective. Minette is incredibly vulnerable and brave in speaking the truth and reminding us that being an inclusive leader is a journey and that our work will never be complete.You will find this book valuable whether you are an experienced leader or a first time manager. As an executive coach, so many of my clients bring up these topics of creating belonging and inclusion for their people and I know I will be recommending this book to so many of them.Read this book and put the ideas into practice and not only will you reap benefits, your people will thank you for the impact it has on them.
Rachel E –
Whether you’re a seasoned leader who’s reached this point in your journey through hard work and trail & error or you’re transitioning into a first-time leadership role from an individual contributor position, you’ll learn from and find value in The Boldly Inclusive Leader. Role models for inclusive leadership are, unfortunately, few and far between. Minette Norman’s gifts of empathy and communication are what make this book both so accessible and so instructional — she shows us what it’s like to be vulnerable, be human, and still be a highly respected, successful and sought-after leader. With stories from her own experience and practical, actionable tips and explanations on how to do things differently, this book should be on the bookshelf of (and actually read by!) everyone who leads or aspires to lead, whether a small team or a global organization.