Book Review: Out & Equal at Work, From Closet to Corner Office, edited by Selisse Berry

Reviewer: Alan Chin

Publisher: Out & Equal Workplace Advocates; 1st edition (January, 2013)

Pages: 314

Out & Equal At Work is a collection of stories from thirty-six business leaders—gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and some straight—who speak to the power of cultivating diversity in the workplace. These people hold prominent positions at Fortune 500 companies like HP, IBM, Dell, Prudential, and Disney.

These stories encapsulate the history of the fight for equality in the workplace, told by trailblazers who have fought, and keep fighting, the frontline battles in the boardrooms to shatter the glass ceiling.

Many of these business leaders are connected with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, and organization dedicated to helping people bring diversity to the workplace.

It reads much like the “It Gets Better” anthologies I’ve read, only it is geared to professionals who are struggling to bring their whole selves to work every day. The message is, diversity in the workplace is not simply the right thing to do, but has profound benefits on companies because it effects employee engagement, retention, productivity, and, ultimately, business results.

I confess I did not read each story. Although I found each one I read interesting, and could relate, I found them all so similar that they became monotonous.

Never the less, this collection is an inspiring and motivational reminder of how important it is to celebrate diversity and openness in businesses. This should be read by everyone, janitor to CEO, who cares about improving their business environment.