1. Blacks quit companies because of
Dear White Boss
Caver & Livers
Blacks quit companies because of
Feelings of Alienation
Perceptions of Low Competency
Lack of Trust in Workplace Relationships
Poor Management of Diversity

2. Why do Blacks feel alienated?
Blacks are perceived..
As a group
Similar to each other
Assume personal relationships among all Blacks
As threatening
See also Stephan & Stephan Readings

3. Implications of perceptions of low competency
Lowers Blacks perceptions of their own competency and motivation
Self-stereotyping
Wasted energy in having to impression-manage Whites’ perceptions of one’s direct reports
Negative stereotypes limit job opportunities, promotion opportunities, placement into appropriate levels, mentoring relationships
See also Human Rights doc

4. Lack of Trust in Workplace Relationships
Why?
Hidden negative attitudes surface occasionally
So What?
Risk taking at work is minimal
Incomplete contribution at work

5. How to Improve Diversity Management
Recognize that heterogeneous groups…
make better decisions
have better problem solving skills
are more creative
deal more effectively with complex challenges
Acknowledge different experiences of Blacks and Whites (see also Human Rights doc)
Recognize the importance of managing multi-ethnic constituencies (e.g., customers, stockholders)
Develop shared understanding & language on how to address differences or miscommunications
Build Learning circles
See also Cox