Foreword
I met Judith and Fred in the early 1990s when the field of diversity and inclusion was being shaped by forward-thinking companies and practitioners. They have been innovative thought leaders and patient mentors and teachers, and there are thousands of us who have benefited from their insights. As chief diversity officer for more than twenty years in three companies that were recognized as trailblazers in diversity and inclusion, I looked to their guidance to make the complex simple when developing and implementing enterprise-wide strategies. I was also fortunate to work with them when they led a project at Merck in our global manufacturing division to help transform the business, utilizing many of the principles in Safe Enough to Soar.
Safety has a slightly different meaning in my life. I am the height and weight of a six-year-old due to a genetic condition I was born with that causes brittle bones. An exercise Judith and Fred use illustrates my hyperawareness of physical environments. They show a sidewalk and ask what people notice first. Leaping out of the picture for me were the uneven sections that could result in a fracture. I am also acutely aware of how people experience me as a leader. When we first meet, they often express feelings of emotional vulnerability and fear that they will do or say the “wrong thing” due to the novelty of interacting with any “little person,” much less one in an influential and visible executive role. These teachable moments are part of my life every day.
Safety, belonging, and trust are key ingredients for a workplace culture that aspires to delight customers and create and deliver innovative products. In Safe Enough to Soar, authentic stories of real people and situations illustrate the key points, and the checklists for individuals and managers point the way to creating a high-functioning culture of inclusion. I recommend utilizing this memorable and practical resource.