Shrewsbury, PA, September 21, 2023 — Class division has existed as long as people have, explains inclusion consultant Christopher “CJ” Gross, and organizations and their employees should get comfortable talking about it.
“The brain classifies people, places and things in seconds, and this is what we must understand,” Gross said in a recent interview.
In his book, What’s Your Zip Code Story? Understanding and Overcoming Class Bias in the Workplace, he notes that recognizing the existence of zip code stories is a critical first step in establishing trust and building relationships — both personally and professionally.
“If you’re in the field of human resources or a business leader, it is critical to understand the zip code stories of employees because the only way you’re going to tap into their talent, tap into their greatness and allow that to flow into your company … is to understand their zip code stories,” he said.
In What’s Your Zip Code Story?, Gross takes a deep dive into the ways in which where and how a person grew up can impact employment opportunities and where the discussion regarding class bias fits into a company’s DEI efforts.
“The renewed focus on class, race, and equality in the workplace and beyond is making an indelible mark on society,” Gross said. “This clarion call for change is sweeping inequality from every corner of the nation, including law enforcement, schools and businesses.”
What’s Your Zip Code Story offers research-based solutions for employees seeking professional growth and for business leaders seeking new ways to engage their teams. Gross provides strategies to help class-migrants — whether college students, recent graduates or overlooked employees — climb the career lattice and transform themselves from undervalued employees into respected leaders. He also offers insights to help organizations understand the impact of diversity on a business’s productivity, turnover and revenue.
What’s Your Zip Code Story is a powerful book that expands the conversation surrounding class bias, race and equity in the workplace, and offers effective solutions.
“Each of us has our biases and cultural preferences, which makes it very hard for us to understand the perspectives of others,” Gross added. “It’s time we talked about it.”
Author CJ Gross is a TEDx presenter, international speaker and the founder of Ascension Worldwide, a firm dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity training and consulting based in the Washington, D.C., area. Gross has 20 years of experience as an international organizational development consultant specializing in leadership development and diversity and inclusion. He is a certified Social + Emotional Intelligence coach, trainer, Keirsey Temperament professional, Intercultural Development Inventory Administrator and executive coach, with additional expertise in organizational mediation.
He also serves as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Master Faculty for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Center for Innovation and Business Management, Adjunct Faculty for the Community College of Baltimore County and Adjunct Professor in the MBA program for St. Bonaventure University.
Gross holds a B. A. degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University through the Forbes Entrepreneurship Scholarship and an M.A. degree in Strategic Leadership from St. Bonaventure University. He has been featured by Bloomberg, the Washington Post, the Washington Informer Newspaper, and other print, radio and television outlets.
For more information, please visit and https://ascensionworldwide.com, or follow Gross on Twitter (@cjgrosstalks), Instagram (cjgrosstalks) and Facebook (ascensionworldwidemd).
Understanding and Overcoming Class Bias in the Workplace
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
ISBN-10: 1538160587 ISBN-13: 978-1538160589
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and other online booksellers
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
