Human Relations in the Air Force

Overview Managing Diversity Elements of Diversity Potential problems Obstacles Benefits Sexual Harassment Scenarios OVERVIEW: (TRANSITION: Let’s start off by defining “Managing Diversity”

Managing Diversity PK-1A Managing Diversity MOTIVATION: Diversity is found in all segments of our society, including the military. Additionally, by this short quiz, we can see that that trend will continue to grow. To successfully manage this diverse workforce is crucial to our success as future officers and military leaders. (CLICK MOUSE for next slide - OVERVIEW)

What Do We Mean by Managing Diversity? A management system which incorporates the differences found in a multicultural workforce in a manner which results in the highest level of productivity for both the organization and the individual. U.S. Office of Personnel Management

What Are Some of the Elements of Diversity? Now that you’ve had some time to think about it, what are some of the elements that can lead to diversity in a society or in an organization? (FC: This is an open ended question. The elements listed on the next slide are probably the most commonly thought of elements that may lead to diversity, but there are certainly others that the students may bring out.) (After students have stated a number of elements, CLICK MOUSE to next slide for a list of the most common elements.)

Elements of Diversity Race Ethnicity Regional Religion Lifestyle Gender Age Physically Challenged Class Education Language Sexual Orientation List elements on the board, then compare to slide. Others include: Technical vs. non-technical Married vs. single Management vs. non-management

Potential Problems Over protection of women, minorities and others Different consequences for the same actions Failure to train and coach (mentors) Language barriers (Slide is “built” so that at first just the title comes up. After you solicit responses from students, the next four mouse clicks will bring in the four responses one at a time.) LOQ: What are some of the potential problems you see when we try to “facilitate” diversity in an organization? OVER PROTECTION OF WOMEN, MINORITIES AND OTHERS: DIFFERENT CONSEQUENCES FOR THE SAME ACTIONS: FAILURE TO TRAIN AND COACH (MENTORS): Example might be a female boss with male subordinates or situation where the trainer has a certain “prejudice” against the trainee. Question: What might be an example of this in an organization: (Women fighter pilots) LANGUAGE BARRIERS: (Maybe not as big of a problem in the military as in the civilian world) (CLICK MOUSE for next slide - OBSTACLES)

Obstacles Confronting A Diverse Workforce The white male “club” The “glass ceiling” Stereotypes and assumptions Lack of accountability Unwritten rules of success? (Slide is “built” so that at first just the title comes up. After you solicit responses from students, the next five mouse clicks will bring in the five responses one at a time.) WHITE MALE “CLUB”: Common feeling that it is a WASP dominated business world, may lead to feelings of exclusion from a “diverse” person. GLASS CEILING: feeling that “different” people are capped in how high they can go in an organization. STEREOTYPES OR ASSUMPTIONS: LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY: feeling that “minorities” are scrutinized more than WASP stereotyped individuals. UNWRITTEN RULES OF SUCCESS: Question: Are there unwritten rules of success in an organization--in other words, are there “unofficial” ways we judge people or measure their success other than their duty performance? --Cultural: How well they fit in--do they play golf, stay late, socialize. --Political: Do promotions go to the “look good”, “face time” people, or goes the organization reward productivity, or both? The KEY is that people have to know what is expected of them in order to succeed. Leaders need to be sure that cultural and political realities do not advantage/disadvantage anyone because of irrelevant considerations. (CLICK MOUSE for next slide - IMPORTANCE TO MILITARY)

Benefits of Diversity Creativity and innovation Broader range of skills Better service to diverse customers Ability to recruit best talent from entire labor pool (Slide is “built” so that at first just the title comes up. After you solicit responses from students, the next four mouse clicks will bring in the four responses one at a time.) LOQ: What are some of the benefits of diversity in an organization? (FC: The responses listed on the slide are certainly not all inclusive. Some of the more common responses are listed.) CREATIVITY AND INNOVATIONS: With a diverse group, you also bring many different viewpoints into an organization. BROADER RANGE OF SKILLS: A more diverse group is likely to have a broader range of skills. i.e. cultural differences emphasize different things to their people; older workers bring in some differences that technology may have overcome in younger workers, but are nevertheless important learning tools for everyone. BETTER SERVICE TO DIVERSE CLIENTS: A diverse work population may be better able to service a wider rang of clients due to an increased understanding of their needs. ABILITY TO RECRUIT THE BEST TALENT: If you don’t limit your search for people, a broader range of talent is available. (CLICK MOUSE for next slide - POTENTIAL PROBLEMS)

How Can We Truly Embrace and Benefit from the Diversity Within the Military Work Force? Good Leadership! (Slide is “built” so that at first just the question appears. After you have solicited responses from students, click mouse and “Good Leadership” will appear.) LOQ: So how can we in the military truly enhance the diversity we find in an organization. (You may get a number of responses, but the key is Good Leadership. It all starts at the top with ATTITUDE, and managing diversity is not an overnight fix. You can’t just say...treat everyone the same, or treat everyone according to where they come from or their individual differences. You have to ingrain the ATTITUDE into yourselves, and your people, and those around you. SET THE EXAMPLE.) (Tell students to keep this subject in mind as they progress through their leadership training here at OTS. When they discuss the fundamentals of leadership and leadership responsibilities, they should think of how they apply to managing diversity.) (CLICK MOUSE for next slide - Hot Issues)

Sexual Harassment Air Force Policy: ZERO TOLERANCE Now that you’ve had some time to think about it, what are some of the elements that can lead to diversity in a society or in an organization? (FC: This is an open ended question. The elements listed on the next slide are probably the most commonly thought of elements that may lead to diversity, but there are certainly others that the students may bring out.) (After students have stated a number of elements, CLICK MOUSE to next slide for a list of the most common elements.)

Definition Sexual Harassment--A form of discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

Scenario 1 A chief master sergeant leaves for a dental appointment. As he leaves, he opens the door for a female sergeant and greets her using the term "sweetheart." After he departs, the chief's remarks are discussed by other female members of the division. Many of the group believes his remarks such as "sweetheart," "cupcake," "babe," and "honey" are inappropriate and border on sexual harassment.

Scenario 2 A staff sergeant comes in late to the office. She explains she's late because someone hit her car. When her supervisor (a male lieutenant) comes over to talk to her, he uses gestures (holding her hand, touching her shoulder, and standing too close, etc.) as he expresses his concern. After they both leave the office, the other members of the section discuss the situation to include the possibility that the lieutenant and the staff sergeant may have a relationship going on.

Summary Managing Diversity Elements of Diversity Potential Problems Obstacles Benefits Sexual Harassment Scenarios OVERVIEW: (TRANSITION: Let’s start off by defining “Managing Diversity”

Diversity The beauties of nature come in all colors. The strengths of humankind come in many forms. Every human being is wonderfully unique. All of us contribute in different ways. When we learn to honor the difference, and appreciate the mix, we find harmony. Author Unknown CLOSURE: This is a rather long winded way of saying that we will always have diversity in our society. If we successfully deal with it, we will have harmony. Put another way (CLICK MOUSE)