Synopses & Reviews
“Through real-world observations, [Johnson] shares valuable insights on its definition along with practical, thought-provoking tools that challenge a broader understanding of diversity and the impact that our individual mindsets have on inclusion in the workplace. A must-read to learn the benefits of embracing diversity professionally and in your personal life.” – Bonnie Heenan, Global Procurement Manager for Hallmark Cards, Inc.
“With the precise motions of a surgeon, Michelle Johnson yet again dares to go where few people ever do in discussing issues of gender, race, sexual preference, and a multitude of other differences, providing clear and insightful guidance into achieving inclusion and understanding the need for diverse workplaces.” – Steve Denson, Director of Diversity and Lecturer, Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University
“Michelle is a very forward-thinking author. She is as much of a teacher as she is an author.” – Brian K. Britton, AVP, Construction & Procurement, Black & Veatch – Building a World of Difference™
“[W]ell written, easy to read, and filled with practical ‘how to’ ideas, best practice suggestions, and exercises for your most junior associate and most senior executive.”– Bill Bargas, Chief Diversity Officer, Diversity.com
Your organization may follow employment and nondiscrimination law to the letter, but that’s just the beginning when it comes to doing diversity right. Real diversity (and the synergies born of it) is achieved only when people learn how to both reconcile and value their cultural differences. And real diversity is not just about race and gender. The Diversity Code goes beyond rules and regulations to show you how to make diversity more than just a set of requirements to be met. With tough but enlightening questions, scenarios, and assessments, it includes such topics as:
Implementing a diversity program the whole company will buy into—without interfering with everyone’s “real” work • Why being “covered on diversity” misses the point • What to do if someone accuses you of something • How to hold someone else accountable, even if they outrank you • What to do when a situation is going from bad to worse • How to know when you’ve achieved true diversity
The Diversity Code will help your business become a genuine cross-cultural community that not only recognizes and embraces differences but also leverages those unique perspectives for the strengths each one brings to the workplace.
Michelle T. Johnson writes the “Diversity Diva” newspaper column. She is a former employment attorney and author of Working While Black: The Black Person’s Guide to Success in the White Workplace. Her diversity workshop clients have included Wal-Mart, H&R Block, and several municipalities.
Synopsis
The best organizations have struck a balance between reconciling differences and valuing them to promote genuine, cross-cultural teams. Based on years of experience as a diversity expert and attorney, author Michelle T. Johnson uses a healthy mix of humor and blunt honesty to show professionals and their employers why fostering true workplace diversity is a must for any successful business. The Diversity Code does this by answering many of the toughest questions people are often afraid to ask, including: How do you define diversity?; Am I "safe" simply following the law?; Can't we just acknowledge that we are the same and different--and get on with our work?; How do I handle diversity problems on my staff--or worse, with people who outrank me?; What do I do if I'm accused of something?; and How do I institute change without ticking people off? Each chapter begins with one of these challenging questions, guides readers through thoughts and ideas relating to it, and concludes with a real-world scenario and a chance for readers to test themselves on the cultural competency knowledge they've gained.The most diligent compliance with laws and regulations can't foster true workplace diversity. By equipping professionals and employers with the tools and knowledge to navigate--and appreciate--new workplace diversity initiatives, The Diversity Code reveals the key to increased innovation, collaboration--and respectful working relationships.
Synopsis
Do you have questions about the movement toward increased workplace diversity that you're too afraid to ask? This daringly honest book promotes understanding about the value of cross-cultural teams by addressing challenging questions and providing clear answers.
Synopsis
The most diligent compliance with laws and regulations can’t foster true work place diversity. The best organizations have become genuine cross-cultural communities that believe equally in reconciling differences and valuing them. To that end, The Diversity Code promotes understanding by answering many of the toughest questions that professionals and their employers are often afraid to ask, including:
• How do you define diversity—what it is and isn’t?
• Am I “safe” simply following the law?
• Can’t we just acknowledge that we are the same and different—then get on with our work?
• How do I handle diversity problems on my staff—or worse, with people who outrank me?
• What do I do if I’m accused of something?
• How do I institute change without ticking people off?
Each chapter begins with a challenging question, which the author answers based on years of experience as a diversity expert and attorney, and concludes with a real-world scenario and a chance for readers to test themselves on their knowledge.
About the Author
MICHELLE T. JOHNSON is creator of the “Diversity Diva” newspaper column, a former employment attorney, and author of Working While Black. Her diversity workshop clients have included Wal-Mart, H&R Block, and several municipalities.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction: So What Is the Diversity Code, Anyway? 1
1 How Do You Define Diversity? 9
2 Can You Tell Me What Diversity Isn’t? 25
3 What Is the Basic Law on Discrimination? 37
4 How Do Diversity Issues Differ from Discrimination? 49
5 Shouldn’t I Just Have to Worry About What the Law Requires Me to Worry About? 61
6 Why Isn’t It Enough to Just Acknowledge the Ways in Which People Are the Same? 71
7 Doesn’t Figuring Out Everybody’s Differences at Work Take Too Much Time Away from Work? 79
8 Do White Guys Even Have to Worry About Diversity Since They Don’t Have Any? 89
9 If I’m a Member of a Minority Group or Have a Best Friend or Spouse Who Is, Then I’m Covered on Diversity, Aren’t I? 101
10 How Do I Figure Out How to Hear the Differences Around Me? 111
11 How Do I Avoid Overstepping, Being Too Personal, or Creeping into Sexual Harassment Territory? 121
12 Doesn’t Understanding a Difference Mean That I’m Accepting Something That I Don’t Necessarily Support? 131
13 How Can I Tell Whether My Company Is Really Diverse or If It’s Just Saying It Is? 143
14 Is There Some Point Where My Company’s Problem with Diversity Starts Being My Problem? 151
15 When I See a Problem with Diversity, How Do I Go About Addressing It? 161
16 Isn’t Instituting Real Change Bound to Tick Someone Off? 171
17 If I’m the One Being Accused of Cultural Insensitivity or Worse, Aren’t I Already Screwed? 183
18 How Do I Really Call Someone Out on Their Mess When They Have More Rank Than I Do? 197
19 As a Department Head or Supervisor, How Do I Really Get People Past Conflicts in the Workplace Once They Have Escalated Badly? 205
20 What Is the Purpose of a Company’s Annual Diversity Report? 213
21 As a Company, When Do We Know When We Have Actually Achieved Diversity? 225
Conclusion 235
Index 237