Understanding Diversity

Understanding and Managing a Diverse Workforce and Marketplace

The workplace is rapidly changing. The marketplace is steadily changing as well; we see it all around us. The newest curriculum in managing diversity in the workplace explores your organization by providing a safe training environment. This environment is a forum in which to discuss your experiences (your own diversity), attitudes, perceptions, beliefs, and values concerning such topics as race, gender, ethnicity, culture, language, and background.

The average workshop starts with an exploration of your own diversity and continues with the diversity of others who work in your organization. The intent of the curriculum is to promote a more inclusive work environment. The curriculum is both awareness and skill-based and promotes teamwork. Participants will develop a diversity "tool or skill kit." A combination of lecture, individual assessment, group activity and discussion, and video case work are employed to make this example of diversity a highly-interactive workshop.

SAMPLE AGENDA

PreWork

Agenda

Biography of facilitator(s)

Diversity I.Q. Quiz (questions and answers separated)

Your own diversity (We are all a part of this conversation)

PostWork

Will be developed by the client's diversity steering committee of diversity change agents. DTG's web page serves as a resource and is available as a follow-up training reinforcement tool at no charge to the client organization.

Curriculum Objectives

At the end of the curriculum, participants will understand what they didn't understand before and take advantage of new opportunities in the work place and marketplace. Participants will take personal responsibility for their own actions and be able to create a more inclusive work environment.

Participants will:

Be able to define and understand what is diversity (develop a common understanding)

Be able to understand the impact diversity has on their organization and marketplace

Be able to understand why diversity and workplace inclusivity are so important

Be able to understand their role - what is in it for them as an employee as well as for the organization as a whole

Be able to understand their role - what is in it for them as a manager and a leader

Be able to promote and support a more inclusive work environment

Duration

1 day for all employees, supervisors, managers, leaders

2nd day for supervisors, managers, and leaders

Agendas

DIVERSITY AWARENESS--DAY ONE--All Employees

Review Objectives, Ground Rules, and Expectations

Determine Ground Rules or Code of Conduct

Diversity Diagrams - Icebreaker

Diversity Signatures - 2nd Activity

Demographics - Work force and Market Place trends

What is Diversity?

Impact of Diversity - Video

Diversity in Your Organization

Values Clarification (optional / time permitting)

Diversity Skill or Tool Kit Building

Action Plan / Video

DAY TWO--Supervisors, Managers, and Leaders

Diversity Skill or Tool Kit Building (continued)

Review Day One and Reinforce Skill or Tool Kit

Applying Skills or Tools

Case Study Work

What is my role - Video

Follow Up

Action Plan