In this episode of Partnering Leadership, host Mahan Tavakoli reconnects with his longtime friend Howard Ross, renowned thought leader and author of the acclaimed books Our Search for Belonging: How Our Need to Connect is Tearing Us Apart and Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives. With over 25 years of collaborating to help organizations foster inclusion, they have a powerful discussion on Ross' motivations for driving positive change, his wisdom on belonging versus polarization, and practical ways leaders can sustain diversity progress. 

Some Actionable Takeaways:

- Hear Howard Ross' guidance to leaders in balancing employee belonging with complex stakeholder needs.

- Discover how storytelling and sharing narratives can strengthen connections and understanding.

- Find out Howard Ross' perspective on political polarization, social media impacts, and having courageous conversations across divides.

- Get Howard Ross' advice on sustaining organizational diversity progress rather than short-lived reactions.

Recommended Resources: 

- Our Search for Belonging: How Our Need to Connect is Tearing Us Apart by Howard Ross (https://www.amazon.com/Our-Search-Belonging-Connect-Tearing/dp/1523095032/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1695939918&sr=1-1)

- Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives by Howard Ross (https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Bias-Identifying-Navigating-Unconscious/dp/1442258659/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1695939381&sr=8-1)  

- Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald (https://www.amazon.com/Blindspot-Hidden-Biases-Good-People/dp/0553804642/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1695939953&sr=1-1)  

-Partnering Leadership conversation with Howard Ross on his leadership journey  (https://www.partneringleadership.com/principle-centered-leadership-for-a-better-world-with-howard-ross-changemaker/)

Connect with Howard Ross:

Howard Ross Website (http://www.howardjross.com)  

Howard Ross on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardjross/)  

Connect with Mahan Tavakoli:

Mahan Tavakoli Website (https://mahantavakoli.com/)

Mahan Tavakoli on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahan/)

Partnering Leadership Website (https://www.partneringleadership.com/)