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

Join the conversation On ERE.net… Diversity and inclusion may be the most poorly understood issues in business today. While many of us have come to believe that investments in diversity and inclusion are primarily about compliance, political correctness, sensitivity or special treatment, the truth is something different. Diversity means difference. Difference can show up a   [Read More…]

I see whole people. I like art. In 1947 Jackson Pollock started experimenting with a new form of painting.  One of the pieces he produced that year was Galaxy, which is hangs on a wall about 5 minutes from my house.  I like this painting a lot.  I cannot decipher it for you or tell   [Read More…]

I recently facilitated a series of sessions focused on how to make a community’s culture more inclusive.  There was a particular issue that the group got kind of stuck on.  The participants were talking about disparities in employment and how hiring practices play a role.  One of the participants made this statement: “I am here   [Read More…]

I think that social media is a big deal.  I think that social media is poorly understood.  I think that social media represents a really big opportunity for human resources. I am not saying and will never say that you have to be on Facebook to survive as an organization…I am not saying and will   [Read More…]

Sometimes we do not leave room for the truth.  We get wrapped up in being specific and efficient and accurate and professional…and we lose sight of what matters. A friend of mine recently asked why “love” is not a topic category on my blog (it will be now).  Interesting question, especially since I have written   [Read More…]

Mary Schaefer and I have been tossing some questions back and forth, and this is a question we both decided to take a shot at:  We both focus largely on the intangible assets in an organization or community…the things that cannot be easily counted or weighed…things like difference, trust, relationships, culture, etc.  What can we   [Read More…]

Want to know what my work is really all about?  Sweetness.  With a little help from one of my favorite authors, I will share an example of what I am talking about. Carbon, hydrogen and oxygen walk into a bar… No seriously. An excerpt from The Hidden Connections, by Fritjof Capra: When carbon, oxygen, and   [Read More…]

…lecture series sponsored by University of Nebraska at Omaha and open to students, staff, faculty and the general public: NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP AND DIVERSITY What is Diversity and Why Does it Matter? September 23rd 1:00-2:00pm Despite all of the rhetoric and static about “celebrating” and “embracing” diversity, there is a still a great deal of   [Read More…]

I have a story to tell. I like to think of 1986 as the cultural peak of the glorious, bizarre, and not-quite-right 1980’s.  It was the year that I had a perm, wore pin-striped jeans tucked into untied high-tops and danced poorly to bad music.  It was also the year that I graduated from high   [Read More…]

 …lecture series sponsored by University of Nebraska at Omaha and open to students, staff, faculty and the general public: NEXT GENERATION LEADERSHIP AND DIVERSITY What is Diversity and Why Does it Matter? September 23rd 1:00-2:00pm Despite all of the rhetoric and static about “celebrating” and “embracing” diversity, there is a still a great deal of   [Read More…]