DEI: Book Study – The Fearless Organization

Welcome to our first DEI book study hosted by the Greater Heights Chamber of Commerce Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee! Our inaugural book study is The Fearless Organization (2019) by Amy Edmondson.

Book Club participants will discuss why psychological safety is critical for the optimal functioning of any organization and learn strategies to build culture in the workplace.  If the culture is not safe, people will withhold their best ideas, the culture becomes less creative, and the results will invariably be less than ideal.  Success today is driven by a diversity of perspectives, ideas and ingenuity. People must bring their brains to work and collaborate with each other to solve problems and accomplish work that’s perpetually changing.  As General Shinseki said years ago, “if you don’t like change, you are going to like irrelevance a lot less.”   

If we are reluctant to make suggestions for fear we will be ridiculed, we withhold ideas even if we are sure they would be helpful. Think of organizations you’ve been a part of in the past.  Was it safe to express yourself? Are the risks of being ridiculed greater than your input to solving the problems? If so, we stop promoting novel ideas.  Today’s employees, at all levels, spend 50% more time collaborating than they did 20 years ago. Hiring talented, diverse individuals is not enough. Everyone has to be able to work well together.  Join us for a weekly book study and learn how to leverage the diverse talent of your organization. 

Join us for enlightening discussions and network with others in the chamber!  Cost is free to all chamber members and $50 for non-members.  The book study will be held Tuesday mornings at 9am and run for 8 weeks starting February 7th and ending March 28th!

Participation is free to all Chamber members.  $50 to non-members.  Participants may register at the following link https://forms.gle/C2GUHTx3WurbNBf48  to receive the meeting link.