All Are Welcome: How to Build a Real Workplace Culture of Inclusion that Delivers Results
Cynthia Owyoung
McGraw Hill (February 2022)

“Your people won’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Theodore Roosevelt

Maya Angelou once observed, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

I have checked out the results of several of major research studies of customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. “Feeling appreciated” was ranked among what is of greatest importance to both groups of respondents.

I was again reminded of the Roosevelt and Angelou observations as I began to read this book in which Cynthia Owyoung explains how and why personal growth and professional development are most likely to thrive within a Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) workplace culture.

Owyoung defines the key terms. “Equity is the key outcome of driving for more diversity and inclusion within an organization. Equity is often confused with equality because they both seek the same outcome — fair treatment for everyone. However, where [begin italics] equality [end italics] is about everyone getting the same opportunities, access, and resources, [begin italics] equity [end italics] acknowledges that not everyone needs the same things to succeed. Equity is about giving people what they need.”

She goes on to note, “A more recent concept to be connected to diversity and inclusion in the workplace is the idea of belonging. [begin italics] Belonging [end italics] is the sense of connection one has to a group…Another term that’s important to talk about is [begin italics] underrepresented groups [end italics] (URGs), an umbrella term used historically to refer to [begin italics] marginalized communities [end italics], including women, people of color, people with disabilities, LBGTQ+ people, and anyone else who isn’t represented in the workplace.” Finally, “[begin italics] Bias [end italics] is defined as a tendency or inclination in favor of or against an idea or thing, usually in a way that is perceived as unfair. We all have biases, both conscious and unconscious.”

In a perfect world, the defining characteristics of a perfect workplace culture would include diversity, equity, inclusion, and a shared sense of belonging, being appreciated, being provided with whatever one needs, and without any bias that threatens the integrity of any of these defining characteristics.

Alas, our world is imperfect because its inhabitants are imperfect, as are all human communities such as governments, religions, judicial systems, schools/colleges/universities, for-profits and not-for-profits, and thought leaders such as Cynthia Owyoung as well as those who review her book. One size will not fit all or even most within any category of communities. So, how to proceed?

Basic questions need to be answered:

1. What is our why?
2. What is our ultimate destination?
3. Priorities?
4. What are our primary strategies (hammers) and tactics (nails) in order to get there?
5. How to measure progress?

In the final chapter, “What’s Next?” Owyoung addresses several dozen important issues and offers suggestions for thoughtful consideration. “What matters is that we are constantly experimenting and trying and learning and pushing the envelope. And as we learn more about what works and what does, I am hopeful that we will begin to achieve our vision of a workplace culture of inclusion that delivers real results.”

I have two suggestions to consider for the those who read this brief commentary. First, highlight key passages. Also, keep a lined netbook near at hand in which to record comments, questions, annotated page references to key insights, etc. These two tactics can facilitate, indeed expedite frequent review of the most valuable material later. My second suggestion is that the process of building that workplace — and those centrally engaged in it — serve as a compelling example of DEIB values. “Let your light so shine before others” that they will want to support your efforts and hopefully join with you in collaboration to make a positive difference..

All Are Welcome is a brilliant achievement. Bravo!