Diversity In The Workplace Business 200 Prof. Bill White

Diversity Defined di·ver·si·ty (d -vûr s -t, d - ) n., pl. di·ver·si·ties. The fact or quality of being diverse; difference. A point or respect in which things differ. Variety or multiformity: “Charles Darwin saw in the diversity of species the principles of evolution that operated to generate the species: variation, competition and selection” (Scientific American).

Types of Diversity Gender Age Race Ethnicity Culture Religion Language/Accent Disability Height/Weight Sexual Orientation Education Job Title Job Function Job Skills Union/Non-Union Part-Time/Full-Time Marital Status Political affiliation

The Village Earth "If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following. There would be:

The Village Earth 57 Asians 21 Europeans; 14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south 8 Africans 52 would be female 48 would be male 70 would be non-white 30 would be white 70 would be non-Christian 30 would be Christian 89 would be heterosexual 11 would be homosexual

The Village Earth 6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States 80 would live in substandard housing 70 would be unable to read 50 would suffer from malnutrition 1 would be near death; 1 would be near birth 1 (yes, only 1) would have a college education 1 would own a computer

Diversity Consciousness Defined Recognizing, appreciating, valuing, and utilizing the unique talents and contributions of all individuals

The Challenge of Workplace Diversity? The challenge lies in the continuous improvement of the integration and social acceptance of people from different backgrounds. Our differing human characteristics influence the way we think, act, interact, and make choices. Often, these differences interfere with our ability to support, trust, and respect each other, and thus to effectively function together.

Areas of Workplace Diversity Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action –The active recruitment of women, minorities, and other protected groups. –The goal is to meet certain legal imperatives. EEOC Department of Justice Civil Rights –The primary concern is meeting quotas, often without concern for the survivability of these individuals.

Areas of Workplace Diversity Managing Diversity –The organization is diverse by default, and now it must deal with it. –The goal is to fix, cover-up, and/or defer the problem with a minimum of hassle. –The effort is top management-driven, thus forced throughout the organization. –The concern is more for a change in behavior than attitudes.

Areas of Workplace Diversity Valuing Diversity –The organization sees direct benefits from incorporating diverse people and perspectives. –INCLUSION: The goal is to change and/or create a organizational culture that recognizes, respects and encourages individual differences.

Diversity Bias Assumptions of Superiority –I’m better than you. Assumptions of Correctness –This is the way it should be Assumptions of Universality –We’re all the same. Everybody is just like me.

Thoughts on Culture Everyone creates culture—every person, group, family, organization. Culture is what everyone knows that everyone else knows. It is a way of understanding and living in the world. Cultures are defined by their differences from other cultures. The greater the difference, the more defined the culture. The most important aspects of culture are those not talked about. People from different cultures experience different realities. Most cultures accept differences in power and status, and consider it normal. Primates always rank order. Most cultures value conformity, reward compliance, and punish descent.

Hierarchy of Cultures World Culture –Humanity Major Culture (e.g., U.S. culture) –A regional or national group with a common culture Subculture (e.g., various immigrant groups) –A cultural group within a major culture Corporate Culture –An organization within a major culture or subculture

The White American Corporate Mind As Driven By The Major American Culture Thinks in black & white Loves individuality and self-reliance Likes informality Can only speak English Very direct. “Get to the point.” Demand honesty at the bargaining table Hates silence Persistence. “Don’t take no for an answer.” One thing at a time, sequentially “A deal is a deal, no matter what.” “My mind is fixed.” Magic Words: Freedom, democracy, America, competition

Corporate Cultures Employee Expectations –Old Economy: Security –New Economy: Personal Growth –Enron: Personal wealth Rewards –Old Economy: Salary –New Economy: Stock options –Enron: Lightening quick promotions

Corporate Cultures Leadership –Old Economy: Top down –New Economy: Inspirational –Enron: Know-it-all arrogant Organization –Old Economy: Hierarchy –New Economy: Network –Enron: Individual fiefdoms

Corporate Cultures Corporate Goal –Old Economy: Steady growth –New Economy: Fast growth –Enron: Appearing to grow fast Board of Directors –Old Economy: Rubber stamp –New Economy: Independent –Enron: Rubber stamp

Corporate Cultures Approach to Legality/Morality –Old Economy: Steady growth –New Economy: Fast growth –Enron: Appearing to grow fast Board of Directors –Old Economy: Aim to meet the rules –New Economy: Push the limits –Enron: Circumvent the rules

Culture Comparisons What words describe your culture versus another Most prominent personality characteristic. Most positive characteristic and/or contribution. Worse characteristic and/or contribution. Characteristics as co-workers. What would you like to better know about them.