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What If?: Short Stories to Spark Diversity Dialogue Paperback – May 8, 2008
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What If? delivers a highly creative and innovative new way to explore the issues that dominate today's multicultural, multiethnic workplace. To the twenty-five witty yet inspiring stories in this collection, Steve Long-Nguyen Robbins has added tips and suggestions for putting these key learnings into action. Combined, What If? offers a powerful lens into the human experience.
- Print length216 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherNicholas Brealey America
- Publication dateMay 8, 2008
- Dimensions6 x 0.75 x 8 inches
- ISBN-100891062750
- ISBN-13978-0891062752
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Editorial Reviews
Review
This workshop-in-a-book is designed to get leaders, managers, human resource professionals and employees thinking, talking, sharing, and leveraging everyone's perspectives, talents, and experience for the good of the organization.―Incentive
If you're interested in more information on how you or your company can become more aware of your subtle biases and how to change them, consider Robbins' book "What If?"―USA Today
Review
From the Publisher
National speaker and diversity and inclusion consultant Steve L. Robbins, a Vietnamese-American who immigrated to the U.S. as a boy during the Vietnam War, understands firsthand the damaging effects of prejudice, cultural assumptions, and closed minds. In WHAT IF?, Robbins presents a series of short, memorable stories that illustrate key concepts about diversity, inclusion, and the value of an open mind. This is an easy, fun read filled with insightful observations about human behavior, featuring questions to stimulate diversity dialogue and activities that help individuals and groups practice new thinking and behaviors.
This workshop-in-a-book is designed to get leaders, managers, HR professionals, and employees thinking, talking, sharing, and leveraging everyone's perspectives, talents, and experience for the good of the organization.
Having trained employees at numerous Fortune 50, 100, and 500 companies and national nonprofits, Robbins shows fresh ways to:
* Discover hidden talents in all your employees * Solve problems better by tapping more perspectives * Assess your leadership's inclusion policies * Prepare your people for diversity training * Identify systemic inclusion gaps in your company's culture * Ramp up your organization's diversity and inclusion practices
Leaders and employees tend not to have crucial conversations around issues of diversity and inclusion. This book is an invaluable conversation starter and teaching tool for any type of organization--nonprofits, governmental agencies, small businesses, corporations, schools, even sports teams--looking to develop an environment in which all members can thrive, contribute, and reach their potential.
From the Back Cover
When Steve Long-Nguyen Robbins was growing up, his mother routinely told him, "Long, you walk on a path cleared by others." Her insightful guidance and self-sacrificing example are the forces that drive Robbins's corporate work around diversity and inclusion today. His goal is unwavering: to clear the path for others and recruit more "path makers"--to honor his mother and to make a better world for everyone.
In WHAT IF?, Robbins provides twenty-six inspiring, lively, and somteimes deeply personal stories illustrating diversity and inclusion concepts. He offers insight and practical advice on how to reconcile unity with diversity and reframe our organizations for competitive advantage. He adds tips and suggestions for putting key learnings into action in your organization, ending each chapter with questions, an activity, and an assignment to inspire you to be more open-minded and inclusive and to discover how the ideas presented in the book might apply to your daily life at work and at home.
About the Author
Born in Vietnam, he immigrated to the United States with his mother during a time of heightened anti-Vietnamese sentiment and rose through the challenging circumstances of poverty and discrimination to receive a BA with honors from Calvin College and MA and PhD degrees from Michigan State University.
Robbins works with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations of all sizes, drawing on his compelling life journey to bring insightful perspectives on the power of caring and inclusion, and a keen understanding of the human condition. He is highly sought-after as a keynote speaker and has worked with organizations including Toyota, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Boeing, NASA, the NSA, General Mills, and Pfizer.
Product details
- Publisher : Nicholas Brealey America; 1st edition (May 8, 2008)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 216 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0891062750
- ISBN-13 : 978-0891062752
- Item Weight : 11.2 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.75 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,851,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4,302 in Systems & Planning
- #4,348 in Human Resources & Personnel Management (Books)
- #14,516 in Business Management (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book insightful, with one mentioning it's a must-read for diversity practitioners and another noting it's helpful for company training in diversity and inclusion. The writing style is simple and easy to read, with one customer highlighting how the short chapters keep readers engaged. Customers appreciate the book's humor and pacing, with one describing it as moving.
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Customers find the book insightful and inspiring, with one mentioning it serves as a wonderful resource for cultural inclusion discussions, while another notes it provides an opportunity for personal and group reflection.
"Excellent book and workbook...." Read more
"...Everyone has unbiased opinions and as my coworkers and I discuss the book, we all relate to some aspect of a story and we are growing more as a..." Read more
"...is written well, entertaining and broadened my knowledge and understanding of diversity." Read more
"...book was very insightful, easy to read, and provided an opportunity for personal and group reflection that could actually bring about change in one..." Read more
Customers find the book readable, with one mentioning the author is a great speaker.
"Excellent book and workbook...." Read more
"His books are great but to truly understand his points on Diversity and Inclusion, his videos are must see...." Read more
"Loved this book! Provides a totally different way to think about diversity. The short stories are perfect for keeping the readers interest." Read more
"...this book because I've seen Robbins' videos on YouTube and he's a very good and engaging speaker...." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it simple and easy to read, with one customer noting it can be finished in a few hours.
"Very relatable, it's as if he is sitting in your living room telling his stories...." Read more
"...However, the book is written well, entertaining and broadened my knowledge and understanding of diversity." Read more
"I thought Dr. Robbins' book was very insightful, easy to read, and provided an opportunity for personal and group reflection that could actually..." Read more
"...The author, Dr. Robbins, is incredibly humorous while delivering some very pointed and insightful stories...." Read more
Customers enjoy the storytelling style of the book, with one mentioning that the chapters are perfect for keeping readers engaged.
"Excellent book and workbook. Through his personal stories and masterful storytelling he convinces us that the world is changing around us whether we..." Read more
"...is incredibly humorous while delivering some very pointed and insightful stories...." Read more
"...The short stories are perfect for keeping the readers interest." Read more
"...and his observations of other relevant examples in a vivid and interesting way (though he admits that he's not a writer)...." Read more
Customers find the book humorous.
"...However, the book is written well, entertaining and broadened my knowledge and understanding of diversity." Read more
"...His stories were often humorous and I felt like I got in inside view into the author's life, which I enjoyed, especially since Dr. Robbins has..." Read more
"...The author, Dr. Robbins, is incredibly humorous while delivering some very pointed and insightful stories...." Read more
"...The can humor disarm anyone that may have their defenses up to thinking outside of what they know." Read more
Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one describing it as very moving and lively.
"...Far from the "inspirational, lively, and sometimes deeply personal" stories promised on the cover, the actual stories are just average...." Read more
"...The stories (as well as the story of his life) were very moving. I recommend the book for everyone." Read more
"The author's own experience was so moving (very sad too) and inspiring." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2019Excellent book and workbook. Through his personal stories and masterful storytelling he convinces us that the world is changing around us whether we are ready or not. And, if we want to succeed on any level, employee, manager, CEO or owner, we must embrace Diversity and the change it is ushering in? We need to be ready to roar!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2021Very relatable, it's as if he is sitting in your living room telling his stories. Everyone has unbiased opinions and as my coworkers and I discuss the book, we all relate to some aspect of a story and we are growing more as a team by having the discussions.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2017When I purchased this I was hoping that I would be able to use these as discussion topics in my classes. I don't think that they really are helpful in that manner. However, the book is written well, entertaining and broadened my knowledge and understanding of diversity.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2015I thought Dr. Robbins' book was very insightful, easy to read, and provided an opportunity for personal and group reflection that could actually bring about change in one's attitude toward others. His stories were often humorous and I felt like I got in inside view into the author's life, which I enjoyed, especially since Dr. Robbins has experienced the importance of inclusion first-hand. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to have a better understanding of "diversity" and how to change one's own or one's organization's perspective about why inclusion matters.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023His books are great but to truly understand his points on Diversity and Inclusion, his videos are must see. them along with his books will lead to a better place in life.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2011First, let me say I purchased this book after hearing Dr. Robbins speak at a conference. He is an outstanding speaker with a tremendous message. Unfortunately I didn't feel his talents translated well to written form. Far from the "inspirational, lively, and sometimes deeply personal" stories promised on the cover, the actual stories are just average.
It seemed like Dr. Robbins was reaching to present the everyday events of his life (of all of ours, really) as if they were profound in some way. For example, the story about his failed attempt to write his favorite songs to a CD was hardly inspirational. The story about his young son's inability to correctly pronounce "Buzz Lightyear" was cute, but really didn't grab me by the lapels. And he stocked a pond with fish and they died because he didn't take care of them. Yes, he connects these every-day occurances to larger, important principals, but the connections felt forced and somewhat contrived.
See him in person: DEFINITELY! He's the best speaker you will ever hear.
Read his book: maybe. Just understand that the written form is not nearly as good as the real thing.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2019I purchased this for a book club read. The author, Dr. Robbins, is incredibly humorous while delivering some very pointed and insightful stories. Every chapter ends with some thoughtful questions to ask yourself or discuss with a group. I passed the book on to a coworker in hope he will pick up some nuggets on the importance of inclusion and diversity in the workplace and life.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2013Loved this book! Provides a totally different way to think about diversity. The short stories are perfect for keeping the readers interest.
Top reviews from other countries
- Cliente KindleReviewed in Brazil on May 31, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Amazing content, powerful analogies and a great humor that turns the book into a really pleasant and easy reading for everyone.
- kkss2011Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 3, 2012
5.0 out of 5 stars Strength and warmth
It's really odd how I came across with Dr. Robbins - I'm a Japanese who (still) finds difficult to pronounce "proper" English after living in an English speaking country for long. One day, thought "Hung on, people said my English has a thick accent. But what is it?". Then bang! -Dr. Robbins' "Bad accent" video clips. No, I didn't feel the clip offensive- rather his talk, his communication/presentation skills and his determination intrigued me.
His passion about diversity and inclusinon is there from the beginning to the end of the book(especially, reading after watching his video clips, it's easier to imagine how he presents every story). Then, this book tells not only about diversity and inclusion. This book reminds me how I can see every event and what I want to belive in - every event gives something to learn and I want to believe in people's goodness. "Strength and warmth". This would be my best discription about this book.
- Rashmi MandloiReviewed in India on July 9, 2015
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Good book to have a diversity discussion
-
Carlos VillacrezReviewed in Mexico on December 4, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Recomiendo este libro, perfecto complemento a presentación de Dr. Robbins a la cual pude asistir
Dr. Robbins es un extraordinario expositor y didáctico autor. Este libro lo recomiendo ampliamente, Tema vigente y relevante.
- LaelReviewed in Canada on July 17, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Funny
As an advocate, diversity change agent, consultant and anti-discrimination activist, this book was a must read. The stories are very useful for stimulating dialogue and discussion in university classes or in workshops with organizations working on creating inclusive practices and policies. Lots of very funny anecdotes and humour is one of the best ways to get people engaged in exploring their own and systemic biases. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about how to be respectful and accepting of people different from themselves be it age, sex, gender/sexual diversity, ethnicity, ability, etc.