The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence

Beyond strategies and systems, what really drives workplace equity and inclusion?

The truth is that all historically excluded professionals who have broken through to greater levels of belonging and achievement have succeeded not by systems change alone, but because influential leaders chose to remove barriers, open doors, and guide them toward their goals. The bottom line? Someone made a way for them.

Using case studies, data, and evocative storytelling, Frank outlines how leaders with power and position can clear the path to workplace equity by

- discovering where you are on your equity journey today;

- embracing the steps required to achieve true equity;

- understanding what your employees really want from you;

- developing a lens for the big barriers and intervention opportunities;

- connecting the dots between meeting talent needs and unlocking company value;

- recognizing when Waymaking matters most; and

- showing up--every day--as a leader who makes a way.

The Waymakers not only makes a compelling case for change. It also teaches you how to facilitate that change. Once you've read it, you'll understand why the question is not "what" drives equity and inclusion, but "who."

And the answer is you.

ISBN-13: 9781637551806

Media Type: Hardcover

Publisher: Amplify Publishing

Publication Date: 05-03-2022

Pages: 200

Product Dimensions: 5.70(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.20(d)

Tara Jaye Frank is an equity strategist who has advised and educated thousands of Fortune 500 executives across multiple industries and large member organizations. Her work, fueled by a deep belief in the creative power and potential of every one, focuses on building bridges between people, ideas, and opportunity. Before founding her culture and leadership consultancy, Frank spent twenty-one years at Hallmark Cards, where she served in multiple executive roles, including Vice President of Creative Writing and Editorial, Vice President of Business Innovation, Vice President of Multicultural Strategy, and Corporate Culture Advisor to the President. Tara Jaye Frank resides in Dallas, Texas, with her rockstar husband, two of their six children, and their three dogs. She is also a proud Spelman Alumna, and a member of the Executive Leadership Council, the Network of Executive Women, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Disclaimer

Introduction: The Waymaker Whys

Why Me?

Why Us?

Why This Book?

Chapter 1 Power and Privilege: Sources of Stagnancy

Deep Roots, Sweeping Branches

Minding Our Business

Being Too Patient

Power Plays

Chapter 2 Start Where You Are: The Climate Test

What We Do, Not What We Say

Testing the Waters

What Great Looks Like

Chapter 3 Making a Way: The Path to Change

Embrace Realism

Take Responsibility

Build Relationship

Chapter 4 Heart Work, Right Mind: The Waymaker Principles

Empathy

Fairness

Courage

Ownership

Integrity

Chapter 5 The Mountains We Miss: Four Core Issues

Lack of Psychological Safety

Low Representation

Limited Opportunity

Burden of Proof

Chapter 6 What Your People Want: Four Talent Needs

To Be Seen

To Be Respected

To Be Valued

To Be Protected

Chapter 7 What Your Company Wants: Performance Drivers

To Attract Talent Increase Diversity

To Improve Culture, Cultivate Belonging

To Support Retention, Ensure Equity

To Drive Innovation, Unleash Creativity by Creating Psychological Safety

Chapter 8 When Waymaking Matters Most: Defining Moments

Doing Something New

Chasing Dreams

High Risks and Short Fuses

During Transformation

Chapter 9 Be the Way: Model for Results

Be Clear

Be Intentional

Be Consistent

Be Bold

Be Accountable

Chapter 10 Bring People Along: Model for Momentum

Be Available

Be Transparent

Be Collaborative

Be the Change

Be Humble

Conclusion: A New Thing: The Waymaker Life

Heal the Body

No More Excuses

Now

The Workplace We Deserve

Acknowledgments

Endnotes

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