So far in our Diversity Week we have covered the Definition of diversity, What is Inclusion, and Why is heritage and culture important. Today we turn to the challenges a leader faces when his organization wants to practice valuing diversity.
Below you will find what the crowd in the tweet chat #leadfromwithin, moderated by Lolly Daskal @LollyDaskal had to say last week about those challenges.
What are the challenges when an organization practices valuing diversity?
A6. Challenges are huge - ensuring that it reaches all levels of organization for a start #leadfromwithin
— Debbie Adams (@PeopleCan) July 18, 2012
Q6:Historical misunderstanding of diversity; fear of change; perception of loss, resistance. #leadfromwithin
— Tanya (@TMODOM) July 18, 2012
A6. A second challenge is failing to track results and alter approaches #leadfromwithin
— Debbie Adams (@PeopleCan) July 18, 2012
A6. Challenge is that stated values are often not legitimate - lip service #leadfromwithin
— Debbie Adams (@PeopleCan) July 18, 2012
BRILLIANT RT @leadgood: The challenge for organizations is how to not make diversity their program, but their identity #leadfromwithin
— Lolly Daskal (@LollyDaskal) July 18, 2012
A6: Valuing diversity must come from a place of authenticity & understanding; not empty gestures & lip service. #leadfromwithin
— Greg Richardson (@StrategicMonk) July 18, 2012
A6: Diversity is challenging to org's when there is little appreciation for diversity among leaders. #leadfromwithin
— S. Chris Edmonds (@scedmonds) July 18, 2012
A6: The challenge is for the organization that sees diversity as a "thing," rather than a way of being. #leadfromwithin
— Jackie Bernardi (@JackieBernardi) July 18, 2012
Remember. . .
There is consensus that the biggest challenge is to convert from “talk” to “walk” and that diversity has to start with the leadership’s example, values, and involvement. At the end of the day, valuing diversity has to do with appreciating from the heart everybody’s humanity.
Join the conversation in the comments below and tell us your thoughts about the challenges that practicing diversity brings.
Photo by: alles-schlumpf