Diversity as a Business Issue

A company’s ability to innovate is its most substantial competitive advantage in today’s rapidly changing global marketplace. Innovation thrives only in an environment of support, trust, and respectful communication. Creativity flourishes when men and women of various ages, races, and cultures openly exchange ideas from their diverse perspectives. Yet without an understanding of and an appreciation for such diversity, employees may treat these differences as sources of conflict. The more energy that is wasted on these conflicts, the greater the detriment to corporate productivity and profitability.

Understanding Diversity

Too often, innovation is squelched when workers are pressured to assimilate an arbitrary corporate norm. Yet an appreciation of diversity does not develop simply by placing different groups together. Employees must first recognize their own beliefs and assumptions, then accept the benefits of changing negative attitudes and resistance into cooperation.

Workshop Goals

The Dynamics of Difference is specifically designed to:

• Explore the meaning of diversity, leading participants to discover their individual level of comfort and gain knowledge regarding aspects of difference
• Describe the origins of stereotypes and norms, including the role of culture in forming perceptions
• Demonstrate the impact and strategic value of diversity in the specific workplaces of the program participants
• Formulate strategies for engaging in respectful dialog with and about people who are different from us

Program Benefits

Participants will come away with:

• A shift in thinking that creates a comfort level with diversity
• Increased awareness that encourages initiative and responsibility for respectful communication
• A repertoire of appropriate and effective communication styles that fosters teamwork
• Confidence to identify and implement proactive and personal changes