Monthly Discussion (1/2002)

Please read the following article and share with us your point of view on the material below. You can do this by discussing the the questions posed or commenting in any way. 

The Diversity Journey: Making Your Business More Profitable

What comes to your mind when you hear “diversity”? In today’s world, diversity refers to all differences with people: gender, race, culture, religion, family status, language, dialect, beliefs, values, ethnicity, physical appearance, sexual orientation, level of education or position in an organization…. the ‘differences’ list continues.

It’s human nature to surround ourselves with people and cultures that are most familiar to us, even in the workplace. Unless we have seized different opportunities, we listen to and value words from those people similar to us. By doing this other employees and customers generally feel excluded. Particularly in a small business, everyone needs to be and know that they are a vital part of the picture.

What do you want for your business?

Increase your line or market share?
Expand to a more diverse group of clients?
Promote a higher level of employee commitment versus a high turnover rate?
Value all employees because valued employees produce more, bigger, and better?

If these questions generate some ‘yeses’ then your business would benefit from a diversity plan.

Gaining a diversity-valued culture is a process. The process reduces barriers and builds understanding amongst differences. It opens people to listening for beneficial idea that once went unheard. Differences become assets rather than perceived liabilities. The process allows for individuals to enhance your business in ways beyond your current scope. Employees increase level of productivity and commitment as a result of each being acknowledged for their unique contribution to the business. The converse is also true, employees not knowing that they are valued, may negatively impact every aspect of their contribution. 

Business success comes by each player demonstrating and being recognized for their strengths. Not just a few being recognized. If you desire to expand your business, does your employees’ diversity reflect your potential new customer? Who would know better the needs of your new market and how to provide service to different cultures than employees’ from those cultures?

Imagine – your business growing as a result of a clear process for honoring the diversity of your employees and customers.

Written by Susan Gray and Cris Wildermuth owners of Diversity Effectiveness Group, LLC. Reprinted with permission.

Discussion:
This article makes some excellent points.

Surrounding ourselves with others just like us is natural – not contrived or purposely intended to be exclusionary to others. 
Can you think of examples that demonstrate this natural behavior? For instance when you look around the lunchroom do you mostly see people sitting together who are like each other? How about the co-workers who socialize together? When you’re having trouble on a project at work, whom do you call for help?

This natural desire to be around others like us may be intensified for women. Some sociologists have explained that women come from a childhood where ‘best friends’ and identifying areas of sameness and similarity are of supreme importance. How much more difficult might it be for women who are visually or knowingly different from each other to become colleagues who hold each other in high regard?

The workplace can require us to interact more frequently with women who are different from us. Has this been true for you? If so, what are some of ways in which your interactions have been effective?

Interactions in the workplace are different from interactions of a more casual or social nature. In the workplace we all have an identified common goal. Given this difference, how do your interactions with women outside the workplace differ from interactions with women in your workplace? Is it easier to form relationships with other women in the workplace or outside? If one place is easier than the other, how might you use what you learn in one sphere to improve your relationships in the other sphere?

Click here to discuss the article!

Previous Discussions

1. States of Racial Consciousness
   
2. The Diversity Journey: Making Your Business More Profitable

Lead Sponsors

Click here to be part of the planning committee.
  
Test your self for a hidden bias! This is a very interesting test because the results usually differ from what is self reported.