Diversity
is any collective mixture characterized by differences and similarities.
Differences may be in respect to some of the dimensions identified below.
Dimensions
of Diversity
Diversity extends beyond color and gender....it includes
many facets of our identity including (this is not an all-inclusive
list) race, age, gender, ethnic heritage, income, religion, work, organizational
role and level, work style, first language, education, sexual orientation,
learning style, mental abilities, physical abilities or qualities, family
structure, marital status, lifestyle, political outlook, values, shared
experiences, military experience, geographic location
Click here to go to CCE's fact sheet on "What
is Diversity"
http://www.reeusda.gov/diversity/factshee.htm
Jelly
Beans (or Beings?)
Visualize a jar of red jelly beans, now imagine adding some green and
purple jelly beans. Many would believe that the green and purple jelly
beans represent diversity. Diversity, however, is represented by the
resultant mixture of red, green, and purple jelly beans. R. Roosevelt
Thomas, Jr., Redefining Diversity, New York 1996 We are all part of
the diversity. Inclusive work climates work for everyone.
Mosaic
Alan Weiss, Ph.D. (author of Managing for Peak Performance) wrote a
handbook for managers on how to accept and embrace diversity for its
intrinsic contribution to the workplace. In this handbook he analogizes
diversity to a mosaic. In a mosaic work of art, the individual pieces
work together to create a whole picture. The pieces, however, retain
their individual diversity and characteristics. He also reminds us that "diversity" includes not only our "race" and
gender, but also our experiences, education, socialization, beliefs, viewpoints,
personalities, etc. Good
management includes valuing each component of the mosaic just as you
value the whole picture.
