MANAGING DIVERSITY Introductions Ground Rules Course Outline Managing Diversity Background- Drivers Defining Managing Diversity-Video Four Layers of diversity

MANAGING DIVERSITY COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE MATERIAL Prescribed Text: Managing Diversity, Gardenswartz and Rowe (1998): McGraw Hill. Reading List: Supplementary reading list to be supplied Other tools: Videos and exercises

Course Description This course is designed to enable participants to understand and address diversity as it manifests itself in the context of the workplace.

Course Description (Cont.) We will explore a range of concepts and issues related to diversity; these include understandings of culture (both societal and organizational), race, gender, ethnicity, religion, age, and disability inter alia.

Course Description (Cont.) Participants will have the opportunity to become familiar with and draw on cross-cultural theories, research and case studies involving interpersonal and inter-group relations.

Methodology interactive and experiential bring to the course and to class invaluable life experiences Reading prior to coming to class

Course Objectives Appreciate the effects of one’s own cultural roots, biases and stereotypes on perception and behavior Demonstrate an understanding of interpersonal and inter-group theories related to diversity

Course Objectives (cont.) Understand the challenges managers face as they work with diversity and cross-cultural organizational issues Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of diversity on organizational effectiveness and profit

Course Objectives (cont.) Use the tools for assessing themselves and organizations in respect of diversity Develop an intervention for diversity management within an organizational setting

EVALUATION Class participation and attendance Individual assignment: Sources of cultural programming Individual assignment 2: case study Final Project : Group Assignment

Diversity Drivers:Overview Demographic changes Affirmative action backlash Uneven education Globalization

Defining Diversity Roosevelt Thomas

Four Layers of Diversity Personality Internal Dimensions External Dimensions Organizational Dimensions

Personality Unique core of individual Characteristics, warm, outgoing etc Basically stable Personality styles

Internal Dimensions Age Race Gender Ethnicity Physical ability Sexual Orientation

External Dimensions Geographic location Marital status Parental Status Appearance Work Experience

External Dimensions (cont) Educational Background Religion Recreational Habits Personal Income

Organizational Dimensions Functional level/classification Management status Union Affiliation Work Location

Organizational Dimensions Seniority Division/Department Work content/field Reward based membership

CHAPTER 4 Understanding the Range of Cultural Behaviors and Expectations

Culture as Behavioral Software How to: -Interact -Solve problems -Control the world -give meaning to behavior

Sources of Cultural Programming Parents Ethnicity- group affiliation Race- racial group Religion Education Professional field/work Organizational affiliation

Understanding Cultural Programming 1.Sense of self and space 2.Communication and language 3.Dress and appearance 4.Food and eating habits 5.Time and time consciousness

Understanding Cultural Programming (Cont) 6.Relationships 7.Values and Norms 8.Beliefs and attitudes 9.Mental processes and learning 10.Work habits and practices

1. Sense of Self and Space Personal space Showing respect

2. Communication and language Verbal Non-verbal -Half communication non-verbal -Smiles -Gestures: head, hands -Tone of voice

3. Dress and Appearance Dashikis Sari Head gear, e.g.. Forelocks, hats, braids, dreadlocks Mini skirts Pants

4. Food and eating habits Vegetarians Non-pork eaters Use of hands Use of utensils

5. Time Linear and finite Elasticity Punctuality

6. Relationships Family/kinship Hierarchy Loyalty

7. Values and Norms Group oriented -Communal -Conformity -Cooperation Individualism Respect

8. Beliefs and Attitudes Religion Position of women Social order and authority

9. Mental processes and learning Learning best through: Listening Pictures/diagrams Participation Didactic Problem solving

10. Work Habits and Practices How work is viewed in different societies Type of work and status Dependence/independence (initiative, etc.)

Ways to learn more about other cultures 1.Ask the employee 2.Ask colleagues from other cultures- cultural informants 3.Tap community resources 4.Read about various cultures 5.Observe without judgment 6.Share knowledge and experiences 7.Conduct focus groups 8.Use employee/customer survey data 9.Experiment with new methods 10.Spend in other cultures

Ethnocentrisms as sabotage of MD Considering own culture as superior Assigning negative value judgments to the other culture(s)

Prejudice Prejudice: Preconceived notions Stereotypes -Seldom neutral -Often negative -Are rigid- ignore info to the contrary Xenophobia

Assumption leading to self-fulfilling prophecies Seeing what we are looking for -validation of pre-conceived notions Internalization of expectations -Behaving as others expect