Diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) have never been so important in organizations and yet many feel inadequately prepared. In this guide, the authors combine their expert knowledge to provide a practical approach to bridge this skills and knowledge gap for those delivering Internal Communications.
Navigating DEI language can be difficult, but Building a Culture of Inclusivity will help Internal Communication professionals, HR and business leaders engage employees in driving culture change to ensure everyone feels valued and like they belong. This book provides a roadmap to manage tangible change consistently throughout the year and techniques that avoid inauthenticity. It also explains how to identify and move away from performative tokenistic actions and biases to help develop effective deliverables that help every colleague in their organization feel included.
This book offers support for conversations with leaders to help them drive the diversity agenda and understand the importance of cultivating a culture of inclusivity across their workforce through their internal communications. Inherently practical, Building a Culture of Inclusivity provides case studies of exemplar DEI communications, exercises for self-assessment and templates to complete to identify goals and strategies. Written by two experienced Internal Communication Professionals, this book will help you understand how to construct and sustain an inclusive workplace where progress leads to results.

Priya Bates, an award-winning professional communicator, is President and owner of Inner Strength Communication and co-host of the Leader Like Me podcast. Her clients include organizations and leaders across the technology, retail, financial, government and education sectors. She is an accredited Business Communicator (ABC) and was one of the first Certified Strategic Communication Management Professionals (SCMP) globally. Based in Toronto, Canada, she is also an International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Fellow, a global lifetime achievement award for her contribution to the profession.

Priya Bates' profile page

Advita Patel is the director of CommsRebel and co-host of an award-winning podcast, CalmEdgedRebels and A Leader Like Me. An experienced speaker, she has worked in internal communications for 17 years and has gained experience in various industries. Based in Manchester, UK, She is a Chartered PR practitioner and a Fellow of CIPR. In 2020 she was named one of the top 100 Asian British entrepreneurs and on the top 101 global employee engagement list with inspiring workplaces. She also teaches Change Management and Channels Strategy for PR Academy.

Advita Patel's profile page

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I cannot recommend Building a Culture of Inclusivity enough. This book is a must-read for not only internal communication professionals, but for any leader, HR professional, or individual who wants to understand how to effectively build and communicate a strategy on diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organization. Priya Bates and Advita Patel bring a lifetime of experience and expertise to the table, providing invaluable insights into what DE&I truly means and why it is crucial for the survival of any organization in our world today.
As a communication leader, this book challenged my personal biases and emphasized the importance of constantly questioning my own thinking in a world where accurate and truthful information can be difficult to access. The authors provide a practical and easy-to-follow set of tips and techniques to help readers build a more equitable workplace, develop a solid DE&I strategy, and effectively lead and manage the change required to achieve your DE&I goals.
Perhaps most importantly, Building a Culture of Inclusivity emphasizes the critical role of effective internal communication in achieving DE&I goals. The authors make a compelling case for why and how we need to lead DE&I through communication, and provide actionable advice for achieving excellence in this area.
Overall, I have no doubt that this book will become your go-to guide for DE&I excellence. If you're looking to build a more inclusive and equitable organization, Building a Culture of Inclusivity is the book for you.

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Adrian Cropley OAM, Communication Strategist, Founder Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence

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Building a Culture of Inclusivity has been an excellent companion to me whilst I have travelled for work. It has been a journey of learning, self-reflection and conscience pricking but, most importantly, a spur to continue to act in the many ways I can, as a leader, to create a more inclusive organisation.
The true test for me has been how many times I have already referred to something I have read in the book as well as thinking about the people I will buy it for as a gift to help to encourage them as leaders, communicators and colleagues. I love the structure of the book. The clear lines of thoughtful opportunities to learn something new/embed some things I already know (and perhaps have forgotten!), supported by some pretty impressive references.
The handy checklists have also helped me reflect on how I personally perform (progress not perfect!) and in the organisation I support. A must read for anyone interested in building inclusive cultures.

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Tricia Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Northern Trains Limited.

"How we communicate plays a critical role in building a culture of inclusion in our organizations. Advita and Priya's combined expertise as strategic business communicators have resulted in the creation of practical DEI frameworks and models to help leaders be more intentionally inclusive. This brilliant book is a must-read resource for every leader seeking to understand how they can bring positive, meaningful and long-lasting change to their working environment."

Ruchika Tulshyan, author, Inclusion on Purpose

"What I really appreciate about Building a Culture of Inclusivity is that authors, Priya Bates and Advita Patel, have written a comprehensive and well-researched book on DEI that provides context and explains why DEI is so critical to an organization's strategic operations. It further details the important role of internal communications and provides best practices and a roadmap for successfully embedding DEI in organizations. Building A Culture of Inclusivity should be a required resource for those pursuing careers in communications and anyone seeking greater understanding of DEI."

John G. Clemons, College Professor, University of North Carolina Charlotte and Loyola University New Orleans

"This is not your next-door book on inclusion. It's a power-packed playbook that is insightful, practical, enlightening and easy to read! Advita and Priya offer practical applications of DEI strategies with effective frameworks to address key challenges that continue in organisations: psychological safety, leadership capability to impact cultural change, growth mindset and perceived lack of empathy and trust. Supported by robust data, insights and case studies, the readers are reminded about how 'real work in DEI forces us to look in the mirror and come to terms with uncomfortable truths about ourselves'. If you're passionate about change, this should be the first stop on your journey."

Shalini Gupta, Senior Internal Communications Manager, Arup

"A lot has been done in the last couple of years to raise awareness regarding DEI. What I really like about this book is that it takes it beyond awareness, towards a concrete roadmap for practical change within businesses. One can feel the passion of the authors. Their principle "progress not perfect" encourages to keep going step by step towards a future where DEI is no longer a concept or goal but an everyday normality."

Dr Karen Lange, Member of the Board for Human Resources, Bentley Motors

"Priya Bates and Advita Patel have crafted the definitive roadmap for shaping organizational culture to embrace inclusivity. While DEI is under assault in some quarters, Bates and Patel eschew politics and focus squarely on what matters to any company's stakeholders: the business case. Thoroughly documented with meaningful data and case studies, Building a Culture of Inclusivity is as well-researched as any work I have seen on this vitally important topic. What sets it apart, though, is the authors' evidence-supported argument that trust - a core driver of culture - is the foundation for any effective DEI effort. While it is geared toward internal communicators, any business leader would do well to absorb and act upon the lessons in this important work."

Shel Holtz, SCMP, Webcor

"We know from our research that internal communication is one of the most critical elements of an effective DEI effort. I applaud Priya and Advita for writing Building a Culture of Inclusivity that so aptly guides those involved with communication and DEI on a great number of how-to tips and informative context. This book is a significant contribution to the literature and I highly recommend reading it."

Julie O’Mara, Past Director of Marketing Communications, Whirlpool Corporation

"This new book is a must-read for anyone working in internal communications. It highlights the need for effective communication around DEI efforts in order to make them stick and yield results. In particular, the authors argue that DEI initiatives will fail without good communication, as employees won't know how to get involved or what behaviour is expected of them in order to be inclusive. This book is packed full of practical advice and guidance to help communicators enable, engage and empower colleagues to deliver on DEI programmes. Particularly useful are the questions dotted throughout the book to help you reflect on your work and your organisation, to help you plan how to take action. This book includes a comprehensive and fascinating history of internal communication, and lays bare a compelling argument for why DEI is essential for organisational survival. I highly recommend this book to anyone working in internal comms - it's the kind of book you'll underline, scribble in the margins and come back to for reference time and time again."

Joanna Parsons, Director of Colleague Experience, Bentley Systems

"Building a Culture of Inclusivity delivers on so many crucial levels with the right balance of rightly researched facts, useful frameworks and seamlessly integrated storytelling. Priya Bates and Advita Patel do a fine job of providing the building blocks for moving an organization towards a more inclusive environment. If you are a newly hired Human Resources or DE&I professional, an internal communicator or just a C-Suite executive who's been tasked with moving the DE&I needle, please consider adding this resource to your library."

Derrick Larane, Chief Operating Officer, pocstock Inc.

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Often the biggest barrier to change is fear. Where feelings run deep, such as with diversity, equity and inclusion, brands sometimes choose inaction. This feels safer than trying something and getting it wrong, with all the repercussions that can follow.
In Building a Culture of Inclusivity, Bates and Patel recognise this vulnerability within organisations and step forward with practical insight and advice to help leaders better understand their options, build an environment of trust and embed best practice.
Want to be and do better on inclusion? Start here. Your knowledge and practice will improve immeasurably and immediately.

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Sarah Waddington CBE, Director, Wadds Inc.

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Building a Culture of Inclusivity is a brilliant book for anyone looking to develop a diverse organisation, foster collaboration and promote creativity.
Not only does it pose important questions for leaders and management teams, it also provides a roadmap to ensure good intentions convert into genuine, positive and lasting change.
Patel and Bates have moved beyond the theory and created an essential guide which will change businesses for the better.

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Anna Russell, Internal Communications Director, FTSE 100 business

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There are a number of excellent workplace guides to DEI on the marketplace, however, Building a Culture of Inclusivity stands out for several reasons.
The first is that it includes both fundamentals, the why and the how of creating a truly inclusive and strategic DEI approach. Advita Patel and Priya Bates teach us about the importance of respect, trust, and dignity and that true change starts with believing in the why, however, the takeaways and reflective questions in each chapter serve as a guiding hand on the next steps to take.
The book shares necessary truths, but never preaches. Divided into two parts - the foundations that need to be built and the frameworks and models required to ensure a meaningful approach is taken - Patel and Bates continually stress their 'progress not perfect' approach which can still lead to
performance over performative action.
Building a Culture of Inclusivity is also a must have for internal communications professionals, as the book includes a substantial section on the role of communications professionals in truly representing their audiences by guiding a safe space, building leadership capability and connecting the dots between DEI strategy and employee delivery. I came away from reading with a much clearer and truer understanding of how to create an inclusive DEI engagement plan.

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Naomi Jones, Corporate Affairs Director, Mars Wrigley UK