Fire and Silence - by Annahid Dashtgard (Paperback)

About the Book

A roadmap for current and aspiring leaders of colour to navigate from survive to thrive in white-dominant workplaces, offering strategies and stories to support leaders of colour win the support and recognition they so richly deserve -- without having to sacrifice who they are in the process.

Book Synopsis

Necessary tactics for BIPOC leaders to navigate from survive to thrive.

In these politically fraught times, organizations need strong leadership to help navigate uncertainty and complexity. A crucial yet overlooked group of leaders are also racial minorities, who often move into positions of influence with little support or acknowledgement. If you're one of these leaders (or hope to be), this book is specifically for you. Fire and Silence offers a roadmap to leadership using compassion instead of trauma, authority without victimhood, and strength inclusive of vulnerability, in ways that are fair to all.

From the trenches of social activism to coaching boardroom executives, Annahid Dashtgard offers proven strategies and real-world stories alongside practical tips and tools to support growing numbers of BIPOC leaders in achieving the impact and recognition they so richly deserve -- without having to sacrifice who they are in the process.

Review Quotes

Fire and Silence is a must-read for leaders navigating today's workplace full of rapid shifts, uncertainty, and polarization. Both a practical guide and a personal call to action, Dashtgard's words are uniquely positioned to help BIPOC leaders navigate with authority and compassion.-- "Deepa Purushothaman, author of The First, the Few, the Only"

A must-read, whether you're a person of colour or a leader who values the power of an inclusive organization.-- "Anil Arora, lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School"

A timely and insightful guide supporting BIPOC leaders making our mark in corporate spaces. Dashtgard methodically deconstructs the invisible beast with analysis of the obstacles that lay across our paths to success. But she also peppers the book full of real-life narratives and survival strategies to remind us that "we can do this!" It's a vital and wholistic resource to help BIPOC leaders feel less alone on our leadership journeys.-- "Farrell Hall, Chief Inclusion Officer, 9 Story Media Group"

As one of the few Indigenous leaders driving a national strategy, I constantly navigate environments where systemic norms and patterns of scrutiny affect my impact. Dashtgard's teachings are invaluable, providing deep validation and strategic understanding. Her approach masterfully weaves internal self-awareness with external strategy, empowers us to move from simply enduring differential treatment to actively leading with authority and compassion. This book offers a powerful roadmap for any BIPOC professional.-- "Robert Doane, Director of Indigenous Strategy, CBC"

Colonization, capitalism, and racism have paved the way for the compounding ecological and social crises we face today. To emancipate ourselves from harmful systems and ways of being, leadership must look, feel, and be different. Dashtgard is a midwife for BIPOC leaders to find their power and guide society forward through these times.-- "Severn Cullis-Suzuki, PhD, former executive director of Suzuki Foundation"

Reading Dashtgard's book reminded me of something comedian Patrice O'Neal said many years ago about Black comedians: every one of them had to be phenomenally, undeniably funny just to compete with what he called "mad average white comedians". Many of the "mad average" folks continue to pretend to be something they aren't, while people of colour are dismissed as "checking the right boxes" -- that's why this book is necessary. With DEI being squashed, racism on the rise, and fascism on our doorstep... the time to read this book is now.-- "Ali Hassan, comedian, actor, and broadcaster"

This would be an important book at any time, but in the present context an excellent and timely resource for leaders as they navigate the troubled waters of division, anger and hate.-- "Hon. Ratna Omidvar, retired Senator"

With wisdom, vulnerability, and clarity, Dashtgard offers both solace and strategy, making this book an essential companion for changemakers.-- "Olivia Chow, mayor of Toronto"

About the Author

Annahid Dashtgard is the CEO of Anima Leadership, an award winning company revolutionizing how equity and racial justice work is advanced in organizations in a compassion-driven way that avoids the traps of shame and blame. She is the author of Breaking the Ocean and Bones of Belonging. She lives in Toronto.