Joe Gerstandt | keynote speaker, freedom fighter, freak-flag flier

Source: topmanagementdegrees.com

Hey, how are ya? My last post was built around the idea that there are two primary barriers to realizing greater equality in an organization, a community, or a society: 1- People that do not want or believe in equality, and 2- The rest of us. Then I went on to focus on the second   [Read More…]

I have been thinking about the importance of our beliefs, especially beliefs regarding equality. This is the scenario I threw out in my last post: I once worked for an organization that was close to 50% male and 50% female. As you worked your way up the organizational chart there was less and less gender   [Read More…]

I have never been the most consistent blogger, but I have not posted anything here since late August, and the primary reason for that is that I have been angry. Every time I have sat down to try and write something to post here, it has turned into an angry rant. Ferguson. Eric Garner. Out   [Read More…]

 Is what you see accurate? I am not an especially smart human being. My life is a box set of lessons learned the hard way. I am the guy that still has to burn my hand on the stove from time to time, I guess it makes a better story than taking your word for   [Read More…]

This is what happens. The leadership of an organization comes to feel like they need to “do something” relative to diversity and inclusion. So they hire some person to do some training. And maybe the facilitator is good, maybe people actually like the training. And the training comes to an end and everyone has a   [Read More…]

I think that intentions and aspirations have changed in the business community. There are still plenty of folks who could not be paid to participate in a conversation about diversity and inclusion, and there are still plenty of folks just going through the motions, but I do believe there are more and more people realizing   [Read More…]

Last week I introduced a series of posts I am going to write regarding diversity training and at least some initial ideas of the specific issues that I will focus on. As I get additional feedback and input, the length of this series and the topics that I focus on will likely evolve. It is   [Read More…]

Is there anything in the wild world of work that elicits more eye-rolling, arm-crossing, sighing for effect, air quotes, and sphincter-puckering than diversity training? There is a real fire and ice dynamic to my work. About half of my speaking engagements are for conferences and similar kinds of events. These audiences are generally forward leaning,   [Read More…]

Diversity means difference. Not because I say so, but because the dictionary says so. Difference is relational; existing between people, not in people. You have to be different from someone, the relationship is inherent. It exists inside of relationships, and it exists inside of all relationships, interactions and exchanges between human beings. Anytime two or more   [Read More…]