This document defines diversity and cultural competency in the workplace. It defines diversity as acceptance and respect of individuals' unique differences along dimensions such as race, gender, and beliefs. Workforce diversity refers to people with different qualities and cultural backgrounds. Diversity is important for organizations to build the best teams and be competitive globally. The document outlines four leadership competencies: personal literacy, social literacy, business literacy, and cultural literacy. It concludes by reflecting on improving cultural competency and working in a global society.
2. Definition of Diversity
The concept of diversity encompasses
acceptance and respect. It means
understanding that each individual is
unique, and recognizes our individual
differences. These can be along the
dimensions of
race, ethnicity, gender, sexual
orientation, socio-economic
status, age, physical abilities, religious
beliefs, political beliefs, or other
ideologies.
3. Definition of Workforce
Diversity
According to Daft (2005) “workforce
diversity is made up of people with
difference human qualities or who belong
to various cultural groups (p.431).”
4. Why is diversity important?
Diversity is important because we live in
an ever growing global society and as
leaders we need to have an
understanding and appreciation for
cultural differences and backgrounds to
build the best teams and be competitive
in the global market.
5. Four Leadership Competencies
According to Rosen, Digh, Singer and
Phillips
Personalliteracy – involves understanding
and valuing yourself by committing to
self-understanding and personal growth.
Social
literacy- involves engaging and
challenging others from diverse
background and experiences to create
the best diverse team.
6. Leadership competencies
(con’t)
Business
literacy –refers to moving the
organization forward which takes flexibility
and requires culture of openness, learning
and change.
Culturalliteracy- involves valuing and
influencing others from different cultures
to increase the organizations ability to
compete.
7. Reflection
Pleasetake time to reflect on how you
can improve your cultural competency
and what it means to live and work in a
global society.
Remember it is not in the “doing” where
we grow personally and professionally, it is
in the reflection of the activity.
8. References
Daft,R.L. (2005). The leadership
experience. Canada: South-western.
Rosen, R., Digh, P., Singer, M. &Phillips,
C. (2000). Global literacies: Lessons on
business leadership. New York: Simon
and Schuster
