Actions Speak Louder

A Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming an Inclusive Workplace

By: Deanna Singh

Narrated by: Deanna Singh

"A timely, practical resource on creating teams and organizations where everyone has the opportunity to succeed."
--Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the podcast WorkLife

A step-by-step guide for managers, teams, and DEI leaders looking to create impactful, lasting change in their organization, from recruitment to retention, and beyond.

Are you tired of hollow promises about diversity, equity, and inclusion in your organization? Do you want to take steps towards real change – beyond issuing mission statements, signing checks, and holding listening sessions – but don’t know where to start? This book is your answer. Designed for teams to read together, Actions Speak Louder offers a comprehensive blueprint for leaders and teams who are ready to get out of their own way, look at their surroundings with new eyes, and turn their energy into a concrete plan.

Renowned DEI consultant Deanna Singh has led diversity trainings for a wide range of organizations, from non-profits to Fortune 500 companies. Using narratives, case studies, and the latest DEI research, as well as interactive exercises, Singh will teach you how to:

• Write inclusive job advertisements because “minorities just don’t apply here” isn’t an excuse – you’re just not reaching them
• Design an interview process that reduces status quo bias and challenges hiring decisions that are simply “no brainers”
• Create a retention plan that considers and prioritizes the needs of underrepresented employees – if you haven’t intentionally designed one to be inclusive, you’ve unintentionally reinforced one that is exclusive.
• Lead inclusive meetings – the bedrock of company culture – by practicing constructive dissent and elevating underrepresented perspectives

As Singh has seen time and time again, any organization can meaningfully change – you just need the right tools.


* This audiobook includes a bonus PDF containing tables and charts.

Best DEI at Work Overview Book!

This is a Must Read for everyone interested in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)! It starts with a context of DEI topics at work and then goes into tangible areas people can implement at work. Some areas are more structural like performance reviews, hiring, onboarding new hires, retention and measuring progress. Other tips are things everyone can implement such as making meetings more inclusive, mentorship, and reducing bias.

I've been interested in DEI topics at work for years, have read and listened to as many resources as possible, and worked in DEI committees at work. I have searched for a book like this that provides a great intro overview for DEI and am so glad it's here. It is now my go-to recommendation for senior leaders and anyone else looking to understand better and improve DEI at work. As a companion to this book, I recommend "Bias Interrupted" by Joan C Williams, but I suggest starting with "Actions Speak Louder."