Salon Today
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Overcoming Bias: What Every Hiring Manager Needs to Know

Within the past five years, diversity and inclusion have been the main drivers of organizational training, politics and community engagement. But diversity is much more than a buzzword; it propels innovation and problem solving, and leads to higher performing teams. In his new book, CJ Gross provides strategies that help class-migrants transform from undervalued employees to respected leaders, while helping organizations understand the impact of diversity on productivity, turnover and revenue.

by Staff
June 24, 2022
Overcoming Bias: What Every Hiring Manager Needs to Know

 

3 min to read


What's Your Zip Code Story? will help hiring managers unpack the power of diversity and inclusion. 

Individuals seeking career growth; those in charge of inclusion, diversity and equity initiatives; managers; and all class migrants will find a wealth of valuable information in Christopher “CJ” Gross’ new book, What's Your Zip Code Story? Understanding and Overcoming Class Bias in the Workplace.

Why Diversity is Important Now

Within the past five years, diversity and inclusion, as well as unconscious bias, have been the main drivers of organizational training, politics and community engagement. But diversity is much more than a buzzword; it propels innovation and problem solving, and leads to higher performing teams.

Ad Loading...

“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.

Everyone Has Biases and Cultural Preferences

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 the founder of Ascension Worldwide, a firm dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusivity training. 

Author CJ Gross is a TEDx Speaker, 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.

Ad Loading...

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.

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 in the Washington Post, the Washington Informer Newspaper, and other print, radio and television outlets.

For more information, please visit https://cjgrosstalks.com/ and https://ascensionworldwide.com/, or follow Gross on Twitter (@cjgrosstalks), Instagram (cjgrosstalks) and Facebook (ascensionworldwidemd).

What's Your Zip Code Story?
Understanding and Overcoming Class Bias in the Workplace
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Publication Date: May 20, 2022
ISBN-10: ‎ 1538160587 
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1538160589 
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and other online booksellers

To read more about diversity and inclusion, check out these articles:

Ad Loading...
Subscribe to Our Newsletter

More Salon Management

Nicki Wenz (above) and Allison Stock of Zandi K Salon

The Heartbeat of Zandi K's Success

After moving to Colorado and teaching at a cosmetology school, Allison Stock joined Zandi K as a stylist, eventually becoming part of the Leadership Team, Education Team and Master Bridal Team. Today, as Director of Operation, Stock is Owner Nicki Wenz's right hand, managing human resources and operations, education and career development, and coaching and culture.

Ad Loading...
Solar panels on a commercial building.

Shedding Light on Solar Tax Credits for Your Beauty Business

Buried inside the One Big Beautiful Bill Act are federal solar tax credit changes that deserve your attention now. Two of the credits that matter most to commercial property owners, the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit, are still available, but only if you move fast. A third, the Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Deduction, has a hard termination date that is closer than most people realize.

The Salon Ghost Report: Stop Wasting Hours Chasing Unqualified Applicants

Up to 40% of hair stylists ghost the salon interview stage, leaving owners trapped playing endless phone tag with uncommitted applicants. This data-driven report breaks down why traditional job boards create recruitment friction and reveals the modern messaging strategies high-growth salons use to get pre-qualified talent to actually show up. Learn how to transition from cold calling to high-conversion conversations that protect your time and fill your chairs.

Sponsored by Beautista

2026 Beauty & Wellness Summer Marketing Calendar

Keeping your appointment book full when clients are in vacation mode takes more than a good Instagram post. It takes a plan. The 2026 Summer Marketing Calendar from Meevo gives salon, spa & med spa owners a month-by-month roadmap with sharp themes, key opportunity dates, and campaign ideas specifically designed for the beauty & wellness industry. Here’s to your summer season working as hard as you do!

Sponsored by Millennium Systems International

Ad Loading...

The Voice of Calm

Elyse Rogers is an uplifting presence at The Headroom who makes the team feel heard even in stressful situations. Owner Danielle Cherewyk sings her praises in this installment of Meet the Manager.

The State of Beauty and Wellness in 2026

Same-store revenue grew just 2% for the second straight year—and new guest visits declined across every segment of the industry. The 2026 Benchmark Report reveals where growth is actually happening, which verticals are pulling ahead, and what the data says about where your business stands right now.

Sponsored by Zenoti

Ad Loading...