Woke Is Broke: But We Can Fix It

Why is it that the CEO of Apple and JPMorgan two of the world’s biggest organisations are happy to defend their approach to DEI while others such as McDonald’s, Nissan, IBM and PepsiCo have all publicly rolled back theirs? In a world where countless organisations are attempting to navigate a DEI rollback or rebranding DEI to avoid the tough questions and scrutiny, Dawn Hurst and Craig Richards highlight a troubling trend, the hollow celebration of DEI initiatives that has ultimately led to a place where people believe WOKE IS BROKE. As seasoned leaders in culture and organisational development, they have witnessed first-hand how organisations across the globe were waving flags and attending galas, all while ignoring the deeper, systemic issues that undermine genuine progress. In Woke is Broke, Hurst and Richards reveal the shocking truth that diversity-centred strategies are not only insufficient, but like the grim metaphor from the Final Destination film franchise, the outcome would be fatal. However, rather than allow the pendulum to swing back to a time when inappropriate workplace behaviour was the norm, they offer a bold new vision for business leaders. A shift from superficial woke practices to meaningful inclusion. Through compelling insights and real-world examples, this book outlines a transformative path that goes beyond mere numbers and quotas to one of IMPACT. The authors demonstrate that to truly thrive, organisations must embrace inclusive practices that engage everyone, and using their award-winning formula, they share how leaders can measure and quantify their cultural and financial Return on Inclusion. Woke is Broke is more than a wakeup call, it’s a roadmap to Inclusion and will give organisations the confidence to stand behind their efforts. The time for change is now.