How Bookclubs at work can promote diversity in the workplace

Pandemic times have made connecting with co-workers more difficult. Many have spent the first few months of working from home just grappling with the increased screen time, getting through what feels like hundreds of zoom calls and meetings a week and trying to carve out a remote working routine that is the least likely to drive them slowly insane.

The work night out hasn't survived for obvious reasons, but we might have found new ways of socialising and making connections with people throughout this time. The humble bookclub is one such activity that weathers the virtual environment well.

Everyone is aware of the value that reading brings; how it stimulates your brain, reduces stress, improves your vocabulary, has the power to entertain etc. there’s so much to love about reading a good book, it can be deeply satisfying as well as nurturing.

But reading and analysing books in a group setting can have added benefits to both the individual and the culture of a workplace.

Here are some of the ways bookclubs in a work environment can have the power to promote diversity and foster a culture of open-mindedness:

Inclusivity

Bookclubs, by nature are inclusive, they can bring people together from different age ranges, gender, level of seniority, etc. within the organisation. The only prerequisite for joining is the desire to read. It encourages people to share perspectives, which means the more diverse a group of readers are the better.

Bonding

Bookclubs have the ability to build stronger working relationships. It provides people with a commonality they would not have had previously. Colleagues will get to know each other on a deeper level whilst having thoughtful discussions around a shared topic. The book club setting invites people to share perspectives in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

Facilitating conversations around complex topics

Conversations around diversity and inclusion can be complex and sometimes difficult especially in the workplace, however, they are a necessary part of any functioning organisation.

Discussing these topics in the abstract can sometimes lead to a lack of understanding or acknowledgement of the real issues. A book club can be used as a platform to promote honest and healthy discussions around these topics.

Storytelling allows a reader to gain insight and empathy for the experiences of others, experiences which may be very different from our own. It can give shape, colour and context to abstract ideas, it allows a person to step into another’s shoes.

When we read from the perspective of a marginalised voice, we can gain a deeper understanding and empathy for others. If we use that gaze to reflect on our own systems, it might open us up to see things with a fresh perspective.

It is important to note that a company book club is not a substitute for effective diversity and inclusion measures for structural change, but it can enable us to have open conversations about diversity and share our own experiences and thoughts in an encouraging environment.

Escapism and Contemplation

Usual day to day life pre-covid might not have afforded time to the casual reader to sit down and devote their attention to a good book. Nowadays, however we have the time and the inclination to escape into other worlds and lives. A bookclub gives structure to this desire. It gives you a deadline to work with, a choice of topics. It may introduce you to new formats, non-fiction, poetry, short stories. Knowing that the end goal is an engaging discussion encourages introspection. We might end up asking ourselves “What do I really think about this?” “How does reading this make me feel and why?”

Organisational Buy-In

For a company bookclub to be an effective tool in fostering a culture of openness there needs to be an understanding from all involved that the group is a safe place to voice opinions. This can be aided by support from management, encouragement to form a diverse group so more perspectives can be heard and crucially by the reading list and book choices presented to the club.

It is important, if the goal of the bookclub is to promote inclusion, that it does not shy away from exploring themes such as race, gender, sexuality and religion. In this regard, buy-in from the organisation is crucial to allow those participating to speak freely and share their thoughts openly.

A company bookclub can be a small but impactful way of both connecting with colleagues in a remote working world and also contributing to a conversation around diversity and inclusion.

Yvonne Sheehy

Executive

Ibec