Just read an interesting article published on Color Magazine's website regarding the 2010 World Diversity Leadership Summit that was held at Harvard Medical School in Boston last month. The conference was attended by over 350 Diversity & Inclusion professionals from a wide variety of industries and geographies.
The article suggests that the particiapants all agreed on one clear concept: the traditional approach and methods to Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace and marketplace are no longer relevant, and therefore, a "Diversity 2.0" needs to be created. Diversity 2.0 would become the new approach to Diversity & Inclusion with more contemporary principles and strategies. So far, I agree. While Diversity & Inclusion has evolved, the basic understanding has not. People still want to associate D&I with simply race & gender relations, EEO and Affirmative Action or the "disadvantaged" and "under-represented". What they fail to realize, is these can all also be considered exclusionary (versus inclusive) and don't come anywhere close to what Diversity & Inclusion is supposed to accomplish.
While we Diversity & Inclusion Professionals continue to struggle with answering the question "is the word Diversity still the right word?", participants at the World Diversity Leadership Summit landed on three themes for Diversity 2.0 to attempt to move us forward: Innovation, Inclusion and Interdependence. These are what are proposed as the new focus for Diversity & Inclusion to allow individuals and organizations to better connect with the benefits and results associated with this strategic imperative. I like this as well...but let's take a look at each:
Innovation - Participants believe that Innovation and diversity are strongly related. "Diversity of thought and perspective is the catalyst for innovation" and that new ideas come from approaching a challenges in different ways.
Inclusion - According to the Summit, "Inclusion plays a strategic and tactical role since its main goal is to replace the event driven nature of past diversity initiatives with an ongoing effort that is part of the organizational strategy." In other words, Inclusion so more that Taco Tuesdays, Fried Chicken Fridays or Women's Appreciation Day at work. It means that everyone and every idea is considered and included in the fabric and DNA of the corporation everyday.
Interdependence - The theme of Interdependence highlighted in the conference means that organizations must now recognize trust and collaboration as an essential function for diverse, highly functioning work teams that cross continents, cultural backgrounds and title. "Businesses are painfully discovering that the days of the stand-alone employee are over. Instead, with the help of technology, collaboration speeds up the innovation and communication process."
Powerful stuff! I agree 100% with the principles, direction and need for Diversity 2.0, but I am most encouraged by the theme of Interdependence. Innovation and Inclusion are Diversity themes that have been taught and focused on over the last 3-5 years in an effort to move people from the negative emotions of race and gender relations and answer the "what's in it for me (WIIFM)" for everyone. Interdependence adds the dimension of necessity for Diversity & Inclusion because no viable work team can truly function well without trust and collaboration.
Thanks. As always, I look forward to your comments and reactions.Tune in tomorrow for another Daily Diversity Download.
I strongly agree that diversity is more than just race and gender. It has alot to deal with implamenting principles within a company, organization, or corporation that covers all areas.
ReplyDeleteInclusion helps with diversity to open people minds to the true meaning.
Diversity 2.0 is a great recommendation in my opinion, but shows a great historical relevance on how diversity is still relevant,in my opinion but in certain areas of business. Being allowed to be strategically aligned with the principles of a company along with the values, goals, and purposes of a corporation gives way and incentive for those who are in the company to have an opportunity to be heard.
ReplyDeleteThis is something that is not just based off of race or religion, but also gender. Gender is looked over in many instances because of glass ceiling stopping women of from moving up in certain areas of a company and not having the same opportunities that males have in the same role.
Interdependence is very interesting because it is something that allows for self discipline to show true and hold value in those employees who can be trusted to perform in there position half-way across the world. And also weed out those who are not performing in order to better run, maintain and grow a successful corporation. This is also in relation to keeping compliant, and noble to the company. Noble meaning doing the right thing at the right time, all the time even when no one is looking.
I agree that Diversity 2.0 is a great recommendation concept of including not only race but gender, religion, as well as age.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion Interdependence is essential to Diversity and I also believe it includes both Innovation as well as Inclusion both. I think that it provides another level of building a person as an individual for the betterment of the team as and the company. Knowing that everyone's thoughts can be incorporated and everyone truly is included.
From a companies perspective that should excite them as well for maintaining and building your company. Now there is no excuses, everyone has the same clean slate and begins at the same starting point. Its coherent and gives a corporation a new since of integrity. I had a professor (Honorkamp) that said, It all starts with Integrity. I think Diversity 2.0 is a good idea on both ends, the company as well as thee individual.