Robert Livingston - The Conversation: How Seeking and Speaking the Truth About Racism Can Radically Transform Individuals and Organizations

Dr. Robert Livingston is a leader in identifying steps to combat bias, and his work is a critical resource for those committed to expanding inclusion and belonging. At Airbnb we have been lucky to partner with him on these important efforts, and know that The Conversation will be a tool for anyone seeking to advance equality.

Brian Chesky , co-founder and CEO, Airbnb

Social justice is a long game, and it has to start with awareness of the problem. Dr. Livingstons book, just like his live presentations, is one of the most compelling articulations of the problems of racism and discrimination that I have encountered. When a company is prepared to do serious work, the results can be extraordinary. This wonderful book is the place to start. The Conversation manages to be both intellectually compelling and substantive while also being infused with warmth and humor, just like Robert. I highly recommend it.

Laura W. Murphy , civil rights activist, consultant, and former director, ACLU Washington Legislative Office

An extraordinarily timely bookJust as companies and organizations in the United States and around the world are focusing anew on the entrenched bias in their culture, The Conversation comes along to offer a path forward. Robert Livingston has digested his authoritative understanding of the science into a remarkably approachable volume, one that is animated by his storytelling and voice on the page. The Conversation is a major achievement, one that is poised to play a significant role in improving our understanding of bias and addressing systemic racism in the workplace.

Robin J. Ely , Diane Doerge Wilson Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School

After devoting decades of his life working to end systemic racism, Livingston speaks not only with authority but with a refreshing optimism. The thousands of hours he has spent with community leaders across the country have shown that when conversations are candid and respectful, Americans can indeed come together.

David Gergen , CNN political analyst, adviser to four U.S. presidents, and Professor of Public Service, Harvard Kennedy School

As a product and business innovator, I like to think about how to design globally and execute locally. This is just as necessary when it comes to a companys culture. Candid conversations are among the best ways to dispel myths and false narratives around diversity that hold us back, but we need factual information and a framework. The Conversation offers exactly these things. This book should be required reading for leaders and all those who share the goal of a more equitable future.

William P. Gipson , retired chief diversity and inclusion officer, Procter & Gamble

The Conversation should be required reading for organizations and individuals that are committed to change. Livingston has made the important and challenging task of truly addressing systemic racism within an organization approachable and achievable. These arent easy steps, but they are essential for businesses and leaders looking to make a powerful and necessary difference.

Alex Timm , co-founder and CEO, Root Insurance Company

This book is a wonderful combination of solid science and gripping storytelling. With clarity and wisdom, Livingston lays out why racism is a problem, why we should care, and what we can do about it. Each chapter sparkles with insights drawn from the sciences, the humanities, and Livingstons own experience.A rare book that is not just intelligent and entertaining, but also profound and humane.

Selin Kesebir , Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour, London Business School

A timely and much-needed guide for leaders who value inclusion and want to dismantle systemic racismThe Conversation is an engaging, practical guide based on scientific research that is as relevant in the workplace as it is in our personal lives. With easy-to-implement actions that move the needle, it should be required reading for anyone in human resources, diversity, and talent functions.

Rita Mitjans , retired chief diversity and social responsibility officer, ADP

Systemic racism is a part of our past, is sadly part of our present, and will be part of our future if we dont educate ourselves on its realities. We all need to seek the truth and be willing to have the uncomfortable conversations necessary to transform ourselves and our organizations. Livingstons thoughtful and instructive book will help us all start these important conversations.

Mike Kaufmann , CEO, Cardinal Health

Livingstons expertise as a researcher, teacher, and practitioner is on full display in The Conversation. This book provides a practical, science-based approach for addressing the seemingly intractable problem of racial inequality in contemporary organizations.A timely and important book.

Miguel M. Unzueta , Professor and Senior Associate Dean, UCLA Anderson School of Management

Dr. Livingston has a unique ability to reach diverse audiences, including those who are new to equity and inclusion work and those who are leaders in the field.

Leticia Smith-Evans Haynes , Vice President for Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Williams College

Robert Livingston is one of Americas most respected social psychologists studying diversity. Robert has a unique ability to strip out the judgmentalism that can warp peoples thinking about race and racism; he can treat a difficult topic scientifically, and therefore he can reach a broad audience, educate them about the research, and bring them along when he talks about solutions.

Jonathan Haidt , Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, NYU Stern School of Business, and bestselling author of The Righteous Mind

I met Dr. Livingston in 2013 when he made the first of many trips to Asheville to educate our county and city leaders on how racism shows up in organizations. His presentation awakened us to what was possible if we had the courage and commitment to do the work. Fast-forward to today and the progress that Asheville and Buncombe County have made toward reparations and greater racial equity, and you can see Roberts handprint in shaping this change. The Conversation is a testament to Dr. Livingstons storytelling skill as he deftly weaves research with vivid examples to make the case for how and why change is possible. This book is a must-read.

Lisa Eby , former human resources and community engagement director, government of Buncombe County, North Carolina

Copyright 2021 by Robert Livingston

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Currency, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York.

Currency and its colophon are trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Livingston, Robert W., author.

Title: The conversation / Robert Livingston.

Description: New York : Currency, [2021] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020043497 (print) | LCCN 2020043498 (ebook) | ISBN 9780593238561 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780593238578 (ebook)