Definition
Actively contribute to a work environment
that embraces diversity and uses diverse perspectives to
enhance the attainment of organizational goals. Ability to
work harmoniously with others in an environment where
diverse cultures, religions, philosophies, genders, and
races exist. |
Behavioral Descriptions
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Proficiency Level 5
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Champions diversity
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Appreciates and extols the value to
be gained from a diverse workforce
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Advocates, fosters, and embraces
awareness and acceptance of diversity
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Proficiency Level 4
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Respects and appreciates similarities
and differences
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Demonstrates model behavior for
working with diverse populations
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Relates to others based on their job
performance
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Respects and appreciates the
similarities and differences among coworkers
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Proficiency Level 3
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Treat everyone with respect; respect
the talents and contributions of all individuals
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Recognize the value of cultural,
ethnic, gender and other individual differences in
people; create an environment of valuing, encouraging
and supporting differences
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Strive to eliminate barriers to
diversity; ensure that new barriers to diversity are not
erected
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Actively seek out different points of
view and leverage the benefits of different
perspectives; check thinking against the view of others;
listen to all and objectively consider the ideas/input
of others
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Support fair treatment and equal
opportunity for all.
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Works well with diverse workforce
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Works well with individuals from
diverse backgrounds
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Understands the value of diversity in
the workplace
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Respectful of coworkers’ rights to be
different
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Proficiency Level 2
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Awkward
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Awkward in situations requiring
sensitivity to diversity issues
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Makes shallow attempts to understand
others’ backgrounds
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Limited willingness to understand
others
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Proficiency Level 1
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Insensitive
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Insensitive to diversity in workplace
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Viewpoint clouded by preconceived
notions
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Biased by racial, cultural, or gender
stereotypes
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Suggested Activities for Development
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Research diversity
topics (e.g. TV specials, articles, theater). Engage
colleagues in discussions about diversity.
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Spend time (e.g.,
lunch, breaks) with people who are from a different
background.
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Create learning
opportunities about diverse cultures during team
meetings (e.g., have a ‘diversity’ potluck for a lunch
or play a diversity trivia game).
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Volunteer to do an
internal diversity analysis of your workplace. Share
your findings with others.
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Suggest diversity
issues and topics for the agenda at regular management
or work team meetings.
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Circulate
newsletters and articles talking about diversity in the
workplace.
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Seek to have a
mentor/mentee from a different background.
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Survey or conduct a
focus group to gain insight regarding ways to make the
work environment more inclusive.
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In the next team
meeting, explain the business advantages for effectively
dealing with diversity in your unit and how it impacts
your customers in a team meeting. Research this idea if
necessary.
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Create or volunteer
to participate on a panel that reviews organizational
policies and practices for inclusiveness.
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Create or volunteer
to serve on a diversity council.
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Create a diversity
newsletter for your organization.
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Recommended Courses
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Additional Resource
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Peacock in the Land of Penguins by B.
J. Gallegher Hateley, W.H. Schmidt & S. Weiss (Berrett-Koehler,
2001). This delightful fable humorously and memorably
illuminates the importance of understanding and
embracing the full range of perspectives that people
bring to bear on their work.
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Generations at Work: Managing the
Clash of Veterans, Boomers, Xers, and Nexters in Your
Workplace by R. Zemke & C. Raines, & B. Filipczak (AMACOM,
2000). Learning about differences may be fun but
learning about cooperation is useful. It's here that
“Generation at Work” becomes a valuable tool.
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Diversity Success Strategies by N.
Carr-Ruffino (Butterworth-Heinemann, 1999). Offers
important insights into the morals and cultural forces
that inform our most fundamental values and attitudes.
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Building a House for Diversity: A
Fable About a Giraffe & an Elephant Offers New
Strategies for Today's Workforce by M. I. Woodruff & R.
T. Roosevelt, Jr. (Amacom, 1999). Within the context of
a fable about giraffes and elephants, the text
demonstrates the mutual adaptation that is necessary to
create a diversity friendly atmosphere in corporations.
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Implementing Diversity: Best
Practices for Making Diversity Work in Your Organization
by M. Loden (McGraw-Hill Trade, 1995). How to position
diversity initiatives for maximum buy-in and support;
proven strategies for managing resistance to this
important change; the 18 classic mistakes made when
implementing diversity initiatives--and how to avoid
them.
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Behavioral-Based Interviewing Questions
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