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Books by James O. Rodgers

Check out powerful insights and proven strategies from James’s bestselling works on inclusive leadership, organizational culture, and personal growth.

DIVERSITY TRAINING THAT GENERATES REAL CHANGE

A guide to transformative diversity training – a proven alternative to the superficial DEI efforts that are undermining the entire field. Whatever you think you know about DEI work, be prepared to think again!

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DIVERSITY TRAINING THAT GENERATES REAL CHANGE

A guide to transformative diversity training – a proven alternative to the superficial DEI efforts that are undermining the entire field. Whatever you think you know about DEI work, be prepared to think again!

Buy Now

MANAGING DIFFERENTLY

We got off track early with diversity by focusing on sensitivity to differences and by limiting those differences to race and gender. As a result, diversity and diversity management have been marginalized and the strategic value has become invisible. Meanwhile, management techniques have focused too much on identifying specific styles.
We have not taken advantage of available talent because the link between people management, diversity of perspective, and performance was never made . . . until now.
Jim Rodgers, CMC, a confidential advisor to successful leaders in dozens of market leading companies, comes out of the shadows to reveal the secret to their success. Managing Differently™ implies that effective people management is the essential key to increasing performance for any organization. People are by nature diverse (different and similar) – and this increases the level of complexity in the workplace. However, getting 100% from 100% of people, 100% of the time is not only achievable – it is fundamental to world class performance.
Jim uses simple language and vivid examples to help leaders and managers move from knowing to doing those things which produce high levels of performance from their people.

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EPIPHANY - Finding Truth Without losing Faith

Spirituality requires more than adherence to a set of creeds, dogma, or doctrine. Indeed, many people are finding themselves discontent with traditional religion, even as they feel the need to experience their own spirituality and sense of self.
Diversity-management expert and spiritual study leader James O. Rodgers believes we expect too much from religious institutions, which people assume will fulfill spiritual, social, and cultural roles. While an organized religion’s teachings can be an excellent spiritual base, to find the Truth we have to search for ourselves.
To do so, we need to recognize the clues life offers about the Truth, which are easily overlooked when we don’t pay attention.
No matter what your spiritual background, Rodgers’s advice and descriptions of his own spiritual journey will help you learn, as he has, to “seek, knock, and ask” for spiritual insight, rather than passively waiting for Truth to reveal itself based on a religious tradition.

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What Are People Saying

“I was very impressed with Managing Differently. I found it to be a very practical approach for better management. As the book said, managing differently is about managing all people… “
Jack WardCEO & Chairman Russell Corporation
“Jim Rodgers is a key observer of business principles from many different vantage points and in Managing Differently, he offers hope as well as practical guidance for today’s managers – a beleaguered group for certain. Clearly, every current manager and every would-be manager should take to heart the lessons Jim Rodgers shares in Managing Differently – it’s truly today’s 100% imperative.”
Wm. Michael Warren, Jr.Chairman & CEO at Energen Corporation
“As our workforce becomes increasingly diverse, in so many ways, it is essential for professional managers to include diversity in their tool kits. In the years ahead, we will be managing differently than we have in the past. This well organized and carefully written book will equip managers with the insights they need to succeed.”
Roger E. HermanCertified Management Consultant | Lead Author, How to Become An Employer of Choice
“Effectively managing the diversity of our emerging workforce is a business imperative for success for every corporation in the world. Having the benefit of Jim Rodgers’ expertise personally and for the leaders of our company, I strongly endorse the concepts he shares in Managing Differently.”
David M. RadcliffPresident & CEO at Georgia Power Company
“Jim Rodgers has done an excellent job in stating in simple understandable terms the true meaning of diversity. Managing Differently is easy to read and understand. It places responsibility on the manager. The role a manager plays in the understanding of diversity is very critical.”
Isaac BlythersPresident at Atlanta Gas Company
"Managing Differently is a must read for all "People's leaders" in an organization. Getting 100% productivity from 100% of the people 100% of the time is doable when we follow the steps that Jim Rodgers lines up in his book."
Christine FrenchRegional Diversity Leader at American Express
“The authors have created a handbook for leaders to be used in an ever changing and diverse workplace. The book begins with the notion that diversity initiatives should focus on managers and their leadership capabilities. This very practical approach to leadership makes it possible to improve communications within an organization as well as improve performance that impacts the bottom line. This book drives home the point that everyone in the organization wants to feel valued and that the manager's responsibility is to create the environment for total employee engagement. Many of the concepts are basic and fundamental to success. What's the catch? We don't always remember to practice them. Managing Differently is the reminder we need to propel us to greater interaction with our people, which leads to greater productivity and bottom line results. I have provided this book to my direct reports and would suggest that other leaders do the same.”
Valencia Adams VP/Chief Diversity Officer at Bellsouth Corporation
“…Atlantan James O. Rodgers makes the case for Managing Differently. For best leadership practices, especially when working with issues of diversity (as he does) treats each person as the unique individual he or she is. That means talking with each individual to discover how he or she wants to be managed. Each person, writes Rodgers, knows how he or she wants to be treated. If I want to know I have to ask. Simple, yet profound. If only our board chairs – once they have replaced the CEO-acting-as-chair – took some of Rodgers’ sound advice and led their boards with more vigor and sensitivity, then perhaps the corporate world wouldn’t be so easily perceived as self-serving gangs. Managing Differently offers us good advice, whether dealing with issues of diversity or board leadership. … And Managing Differently gives us the best philosophy of all - sensitivity to the individual. If that’s not a formula for improving the situation, I’ll forfeit my stock options!”
David Ryback Business To Business Magazine
“Dear Jim: Thank you for your wonderful presentation to the Major Facilities Group! All involved enjoyed the presentation and stated that ‘you opened their eyes’ to many new ways to view things. Your contribution to the conference was very valuable.”
KristenYMCA
“It was a good broadcast today. The evaluations show it was very well received. Good information, good presenter, and very timely.
Pat WhittmannQuestar
“I think we set a new record for participation at today's broadcast -- 35. And they were pretty evenly distributed between Birmingham and Montgomery, which is also great. Dave Self, our VP-HR, facilitated a discussion (we teleconference in the Montgomery group) afterwards on Jim's comments, and it was great. He finally had to cut it off after an hour. Mike Warren was present for the telecast and a constant contributor to the discussion. I thought Jim did a great job ...”
Jean LoweryAlabama Gas Corporation
“Jim, your CTN broadcast presentation created a lot of discussion within our organization. Your message about the primary role of the supervisor is to develop employees is one that we can identify with and support. Thanks again for your great presentation.”
Bonnie McClearnusAtmos Energy
“Organizations around the world constantly seek advice, tools, and techniques to help them create and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. This book will guide organizational leaders and workplace learning professionals. It offers practical advice from Dr. Jim Rodgers, the "Diversity Coach", and presents powerful business rationale to help leaders sell the concept of effective diversity training to their organizations. I will recommend this book to all my clients!
Dr. Shelton J. GoodeCEO, Icarus Consulting, former CDO at Oshkosh, PPL, and MARTA. Author of Beyond Inclusion: Reimagining the Future of Work, Workers, and the Workplace.
“I first heard of the concept of managing diversity as competitive advantage from Jim Rodgers whom I retained as a diversity consultant at The Coca-Cola Company. Both Jim and his long-time mentor Dr. Roosevelt Thomas were pioneering experts in corporate diversity and guided our senior management team through some turbulent times. Corporate giants like Coca-Cola were just beginning to learn the competencies required to successfully manage a diverse workforce. In his new book, Jim provides wisdom that results-driven organizations should heed. Read this book. Follow his advice.”
Carl WareFormer Executive Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company and Author of Portrait of An American Businessman: One Generation from Cotton Filed to Boardroom
“Jim Rodgers is one of best strategic thinkers in the game today. He practically invented the contemporary concept of "Diversity Management”. There is a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding in the DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) space. Jim is the rare leader who actually knows how to drive DEI results. This book explains his philosophy and approach. I give it my highest recommendation.”
Julius Pryor IIIFormer Head of Diversity Strategy at TAP Pharma (Takeda-Abbott joint venture), Russell Athletic, Coca-Cola Enterprises, J&J Consumer, Genentech, and Cerner Corp. He is currently Chair of the Board for the Center for Healthcare Innovation.
“Jim Rodgers is widely recognized as the “Diversity Coach.” His work for over 25 years has elevated the strategic and practical elements of diversity that bring the right focus to diversity training. Jim has focused on results, not just talk and non-productive activities. This book speaks to his knowledge, experience, and commitment to work in the diversity space that move organizations forward. His specific, detailed, and practical lessons will help achieve meaningful and measurable results.”
Chris WomackPresident and CEO, Georgia Power Company
“The authors have created a handbook for leaders to be used in an ever changing and diverse workplace. The book begins with the notion that diversity initiatives should focus on managers and their leadership capabilities. This very practical approach to leadership makes it possible to improve communications within an organization as well as improve performance that impacts the bottom line. This book drives home the point that everyone in the organization wants to feel valued and that the manager's responsibility is to create the environment for total employee engagement. Many of the concepts are basic and fundamental to success. What's the catch? We don't always remember to practice them. Managing Differently is the reminder we need to propel us to greater interaction with our people, which leads to greater productivity and bottom line results. I have provided this book to my direct reports and would suggest that other leaders do the same.”
Valencia Adams VP/Chief Diversity Officer at Bellsouth Corporation
“Any leader seeking effective DEI training needs to think strategically about why it matters and how it will happen. Drawing on decades of hands-on corporate experience, Rodgers, and Kangas address both the ‘why’ and the ‘how.’ Whether you are a consumer or producer of DEI training, this useful guide is worth reading!”
Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D.President Emerita, Spelman College and author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race.
“Since diversity emerged as an area of focus, diversity training has become a perfunctory outcome for many organizations - a 'check the box' activity. Jim and Laura remind us that diversity training is the vehicle that allows us to achieve the potential of DEI. By creating a space for human connections to be reaffirmed; by developing skills to navigate the tensions that differences can engender; and by actively seeking commonalities, we learn how to be inclusive. Jim and Laura provide a roadmap to acquire these learned behaviors that strengthen employees, increase their sense of belonging, and improve organizations.”
Maureen H. Hunter, Ph. D. Organizational Consultant and contributing author of Managing Differently: Getting 100% from 100% of your people 100% of the time.
“…Atlantan James O. Rodgers makes the case for Managing Differently. For best leadership practices, especially when working with issues of diversity (as he does) treats each person as the unique individual he or she is. That means talking with each individual to discover how he or she wants to be managed. Each person, writes Rodgers, knows how he or she wants to be treated. If I want to know I have to ask. Simple, yet profound. If only our board chairs – once they have replaced the CEO-acting-as-chair – took some of Rodgers’ sound advice and led their boards with more vigor and sensitivity, then perhaps the corporate world wouldn’t be so easily perceived as self-serving gangs. Managing Differently offers us good advice, whether dealing with issues of diversity or board leadership. … And Managing Differently gives us the best philosophy of all - sensitivity to the individual. If that’s not a formula for improving the situation, I’ll forfeit my stock options!”
David Ryback Business To Business Magazine
Jim Rodgers is a longtime friend and colleague. We have worked on many high-impact projects together. I always appreciate his ability to clarify and simplify complex matter and to distill them down to their essence. Diversity is certainly a complex and challenging issue. In this book, Jim shows us how to distill it down to its essence and develop an achievable path forward.
David PetersonCo-Founder and Chairman Emeritus, North Highland Consulting
Jim Rodgers has been an invaluable executive coach and DEI advisor for me and my team. When we wanted to include DEI as part of our growth strategy. Jim let us know we had a lot more to learn to make that work. We had questions. He had answers. This book provides a lot of those answers. I recommend it to all executives who want to avoid mistakes and insure progress.
Jeff SylvesterCOO, Chesapeake Utilities
“I was very impressed with Managing Differently. I found it to be a very practical approach for better management. As the book said, managing differently is about managing all people… “
Jack WardChief Executive Officer & Chairman at Russell Corporation
“Jim Rodgers is a key observer of business principles from many different vantage points and in Managing Differently, he offers hope as well as practical guidance for today’s managers – a beleaguered group for certain. Clearly, every current manager and every would-be manager should take to heart the lessons Jim Rodgers shares in Managing Differently – it’s truly today’s 100% imperative.”
Wm. Michael Warren, Jr.Chairman/Chief Executive Officer at Energen Corporation
“As our workforce becomes increasingly diverse, in so many ways, it is essential for professional managers to include diversity in their tool kits. In the years ahead, we will be managing differently than we have in the past. This well organized and carefully written book will equip managers with the insights they need to succeed.”
Roger E. HermanCertified Management Consultant | Lead Author, How to Become An Employer of Choice
“Effectively managing the diversity of our emerging workforce is a business imperative for success for every corporation in the world. Having the benefit of Jim Rodgers’ expertise personally and for the leaders of our company, I strongly endorse the concepts he shares in Managing Differently.”
David M. RadcliffPresident and Chief Executive Officer at Georgia Power Company
“Jim Rodgers has done an excellent job in stating in simple understandable terms the true meaning of diversity. Managing Differently is easy to read and understand. It places responsibility on the manager. The role a manager plays in the understanding of diversity is very critical.”
Isaac BlythersPresident at Atlanta Gas Company
“Dear Jim: Thank you for your wonderful presentation to the Major Facilities Group! All involved enjoyed the presentation and stated that ‘you opened their eyes’ to many new ways to view things. Your contribution to the conference was very valuable.”
KristenYMCA
“It was a good broadcast today. The evaluations show it was very well received. Good information, good presenter, and very timely.
Pat WhittmannQuestar
“I think we set a new record for participation at today's broadcast -- 35. And they were pretty evenly distributed between Birmingham and Montgomery, which is also great. Dave Self, our VP-HR, facilitated a discussion (we teleconference in the Montgomery group) afterwards on Jim's comments, and it was great. He finally had to cut it off after an hour. Mike Warren was present for the telecast and a constant contributor to the discussion. I thought Jim did a great job ...”
Jean LoweryAlabama Gas Corporation
“Jim, your CTN broadcast presentation created a lot of discussion within our organization. Your message about the primary role of the supervisor is to develop employees is one that we can identify with and support. Thanks again for your great presentation.”
Bonnie McClearnusAtmos Energy

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