1. Differences that Make a Difference

2. What is Diversity? Discussion:
Let’s start by talking as a group about the definition of diversity. What is diversity to you?
(Common discussion may reference – Differences in one’s socio-economic background, race, culture, religion, education, age, disability, marital status, gender or sexual orientation)
[Use a white board or flip chart to write these down]

3. Agenda Define diversity
Review the many differences present in our organization
Discuss how diversity impacts us daily
Review the importance of diversity
Diversity in resident rights and organization policy
How to navigate diversity
Applying principles to everyday work
Many people steer away from discussions about diversity because they want to circumvent the difficulty and discomfort these interactions often evoke. However, today we are going to tackle this conversation head on and cover the following. First we will start by defining diversity, review the many differences present in our organization, discuss how diversity impacts us daily, and review the importance of diversity. We will then review how diversity is present in resident rights and organization policy, talk about how to navigate diversity and end with a discussion on how we can apply these principles to our everyday work.

4. Diversity is… Differences that make a difference
Diversity is differences that make a difference. Differences may be in how we approach situations, make decisions, interpret communications, and prioritize work.
Discussion:
Now, looking at our list from just a moment ago, what additional things do you think we should add?
[Goal: team members should understand that diversity is more than just the protected classes and characteristics named and protected by law. For example, different learning styles as.]

5. Differences that May Make A Difference
Preferences in daily routines
Attitude
Religious affiliation
Family structure
Values
Politics
Education
Beliefs
Training
Experience
Motivational factors
Friendship ties
Tenure/length of service
Abilities
Information or expertise
Affective disposition
Raised rural or urban
Learning styles
Community ties
What else?
There are many differences that have the potential to make a difference in the workplace. Here is a list…[review slides].
Discussion – what other differences can you think of?
[consider crossing off the differences that team members names to see what unique characteristics the group thought of during the activity]

6. Many Pillars of Diversity
Emotional
Financial
Social
Spiritual
Occupational
Physical
Intellectual
Environmental
Many Pillars of Diversity
One way to think of diversity is to look at these eight dimensions: emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual and environment, and reflect on the many differences in beliefs, approaches and situations. For those that think that these dimensions look familiar – these dimensions are often referred to as the areas of wellness!

7. How Diversity Impacts Us Daily
The decisions we make
Quality of care
Overall satisfaction
How we communicate
Performance (what we do or don’t do)
Prioritization
Collaborate
Ability to relate
The reality is that the differences we have discussed impact us on a daily basis. Diversity impacts the decisions we make, level of quality of care, our resident/family member’s overall satisfaction, how we communicate, our performance (what we do or don’t do), how we prioritize, collaborate and relate with one another.

8. Diversity in our Relationships
Team Members
Leadership
Residents
Family Members
Our Community
Diversity is present in all of our relationships- team members, leaders, residents, family members, and community members all bring diversity to our organization.

9. The Strength of Diversity
Increases performance
Helps us remain objective
Encourages us to re-examine facts
Increases creativity
Helps us relate to our residents and family members
In our workplace – the diversity that is present between team members and leaders is healthy as it increases performance, helps us remain objective, encourages us to re-examine facts, increases creativity (how we approach situations, handle conflicts) and more importantly, helps us relate to our residents and family members (improving overall quality of care and resident satisfaction).

10. Relationship to Resident Rights
“A facility must treat each resident with respect and dignity and care for each resident in a manner and in an environment that promotes maintenance or enhancement of his or her quality of life, recognizing each resident’s individuality. The facility must protect and promote the rights of the resident.”
Recognizing, valuing and celebrating diversity is a part of our standards as an organization. Under the resident rights, “A facility must treat each resident with respect and dignity and care for each resident in a manner and in an environment that promotes maintenance or enhancement of his or her quality of life, recognizing each resident’s individuality. The facility must protect and promote the rights of the resident.“
We have an obligation to recognize the diversity that exists within our resident’s lives with each and every interaction.

11. Equal Employment Opportunity
INSERT EEO STATEMENT FROM COMMUNITY POLICY
At an organization level, we also have an obligation to recognize the diversity that exists at the team member level. Our equal employment opportunity policy…[insert details from policy].

12. Open Door Culture INSERT OPEN DOOR CULTURE POLICY
Our Open Door culture fosters diversity by…[insert details on open door culture policy and how it supports].

13. Navigating Diversity – the Basics
Demonstrate mutual trust and respect
Avoid assumptions
Maintain adult to adult communication
Focus on issues, not individuals
Bring a positive perspective
Ask clarifying questions
Provide feedback
Navigating diversity in the workplace can be complex, however following these basic people skills (may of which are familiar to you already); will help us as an organization see the value of diversity.
First, demonstrate mutual trust and respect (in both what we say and how we say it); avoid assumptions, maintain adult to adult communication, focus on issues – not individuals, bring a positive perspective, ask clarifying questions and care enough to provide feedback.

14. This Means
We have face-to-face conversations when there are differences
We will ask clarifying questions to solve an issue
We demonstrate respect by speaking to people directly, rather than talking to others about it
Practically speaking, this means ….
When there are differences, have a face-to-face conversation with that person.
We will ask clarifying questions to solve an issue.
We demonstrate respect by speaking to people directly, rather than taking the issue to others when the one with whom we have an issue is not present.

15. This Means
We respect others’ time and priorities by arranging for an appropriate time and place for conversations
We strive not to take things personally and listen with an open heart and mind
We use and texting thoughtfully
We do not condone or tolerate verbal, physical or sexual harassment
Practically speaking, this means ….
We respect others’ time and priorities by arranging for an appropriate time and place for the conversation.
We strive not to take things personally and listen with an open heart and mind.
We use and texting thoughtfully.
We do not condone or tolerate verbal, physical or sexual harassment.

16. Conclusion
How can we work together to leverage the diversity that exists on our team?
How can we seek to understand the diversity of residents and family members?
Now, let’s talk about this –
Discussion:
How can we work together to leverage the diversity that exists on our team?
How can we seek to understand the diversity of residents and family members?

17. Questions or Comments?

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