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Diversity
Resources
Books
and Websites | Best Practices
| Diversity
Leadership Forum
| DiversityInc
CEO
as a Champion of Diversity
| Diversity
Change Agent: Self Assessment
Diversity
Books and Websites
Interested in knowing more about diversity and
raising your own level of awareness about diversity issues, proactive
management techniques and implementation strategies? Learn about books
and websites that are a good place to start learning more about
this topic and the benefits diversity can bring to your organization.
Diversity
Best Practices (DBP) is a member-based service for companies and government
entities to exchange best practices around diversity issues and build
diversity management and resources. Focusing on topics set out by a leadership
council of its members, DBP provides business case materials on all areas
of diversity and forums for exchanging ideas around these issues.
The resources of Diversity
Best Practices are available to all InterAction members and members can
listen and participate in discussions with leading experts on diversity
in the private sector and government.
http://www.diversitybestpractices.com
Diversity
Leadership Forum (DLF) is a non-profit organization comprised of diverse
individuals, organizations, and institutions across all identity groups,
who are committed to collaboration and development of the field of diversity.
The DLF mission is to develop the field of diversity by advocating the
benefits of an inclusive society, promoting professional standards and
competencies, fostering research, and educating members and stakeholders.
Interaction members can join and participate in increasing their knowledge
of diversity as well as broaden the understanding of diversity as it relates
to the NGO/PVO community.
http://www.diversityleadershipforum.org
DiversityInc
publishes both DiversityInc, the magazine and DiversityInc.com. They are
the premier source of original, managerial-level information on the business
benefits of diversity. Their mission is to provide education and clarity
on the business benefits of diversity by positioning diversity as a strategic
business opportunity. They publish original content every business day
and send a free email newsletter six days per week. Their original content
is available to paying
subscribers; the diversity news
briefs, published under license from the Associated Press, the DiversityInc
Career Center and the DiversityInc Diversity Resource Guide are available
for free.
http://www.diversityinc.com
The
CEO as a Champion of Diversity
Diversity is a key leadership responsibility and business priority. A
commitment to diversity begins with the chairman and executive management
team. We act as catalysts for diversity throughout every level of management
in our organizations, both here in the U.S. and in our international field
offices. According to Diversity Best Practices, a survey of Fortune 500
CEOs found that:
-80% see a strong
correlation between a company's commitment to diversity and that company's
long-term success
-92% of CEOs ensure that the company's Board of Directors is diverse
-89% or CEOs say they ensure top management participation and accountability
in diversity programs
-90% or CEOs view diversity as a competitive advantage in improving employee
retention
-85% of CEOs think diversity programs help them become "employers
of choice"
-100% of CEOs surveyed cite the need for training and education to help
their companies achieve diversity goals
(Companies surveyed include: BellSouth, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, Coca-Cola
Company, DaimlerChrisler, Eastman Kodak, Fannie Mae, JPMorgan Chase, Lockheed
Martin, Motorola, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Verizon, Office Depot, and the
National Institutes of Health)
Our corporate counterparts
have discovered and embraced the notion that CEO commitment and leadership
is the key to a successful diversity initiative. We must realize the same
and be the champion, the advocate, the spokesman...we must be the change
we want for our organizations.
Leadership is the
most essential element for change; without it, nothing happens! To be
a Champion of Diversity
is to engage in behavior that: establishes a direction or goal for change,
provides a sense of urgency and importance for the vision, motivates others,
and cultivates the conditions necessary for achievement of the vision.
Click here to find out more about the role of a CEO in establishing a
commitment for diversity within your organization.
Diversity
Change Agent: Self Assessment
To be a diversity change agent means you:
Appreciate the benefits
of diversity for your organization and then seek to:
· Model diversity
competencies in working with internal and external clients, constituents,
partners and the public
· Communicate your organization's diversity values and standards
to others
· Foster a diverse board, management and staff and an open, inclusive
work culture
· Encourage process improvements in human resource management and
client service that will promote a diverse organization able to use the
varied backgrounds and skills of its members as a strength
· Enhance cross-cultural awareness and skills through communication,
education and training
· Build a workplace community life that is enriched by the different
perspectives and contributions of members.
If you want to take
a greater role, or are assigned a role in advancing diversity within your
organization, it is important to examine your attitudes and beliefs regarding
diversity and people who are different from you.
Ask yourself:
1) What does diversity
mean to me personally?
2) What strengths do I bring to my organization as it considers diversity
planning?
3) What do I need to learn if I am to play a role as a diversity change
agent?
4) What resources would be helpful to me in promoting diversity within
my organization?
Take
this self-assessment to understand your personal level of awareness regarding
diversity.
Once you understand your own strengths and challenges, you are better
prepared to help your organization.
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