# Presentation: 031501

## America:  Abundant Diversity

- NACOP Conference
- St. Louis, MO
- May 9, 2006
- Barbara A. King
- EEO Specialist, NPA

## Overview

- One Definition of Diversity
- Why Diversity Matters
- Making a Difference

## A Definition of Diversity

- 	A mosaic of individuals, having a variety of backgrounds, who bring their own styles, perspectives, values, and beliefs as assets to the group.

## Diversity Is Not...

**Diversity Is Not...**

**A new term for EEO and AA**
**Just about differences among people**
**About ignoring white males**
**About lowering standards or quality**

## Diversity Is About ...

- The global marketplace
- Inclusion
- Demographics
- Perspectives

## Dimensions of Diversity

- Race, Gender, Religion, National Origin, Age, Disabilities, Sexual Orientation
- Class, Occupation, Family, Education
- These dimensions combined form our experiences and perspectives

## Similarities and Differences

- Milestones – birth , marriage, and death
- Traditions – if/how they’re maintained
- Significance of family
- Individual dreams
- Generational legacies
- “...our lives are all different and yet the same.”                                                    Anne Frank

## Group Exercise #1:

- Form groups of 2-4 people and choose one or more of these to discuss:
- Describe how you/your family celebrate milestones and traditions
- Talk about what “family” means to you
- Discuss what sorts of dreams you have for yourself or for the next generation

## II. Why Diversity Matters

- The Face of America Is Changing
- The Changing Workforce
- The Changing Workplace

## The Workforce Has Changed

- Traditional Workforce
- Contemporary Workforce
-   Older workers
-   Women and People of Color
-   Family structures
-   Generational expectations and experiences

## Generations at Work

**Traditionalists – born 1929-1945**
- Discipline, consistency, rules
**Baby Boomers – born 1946-1964**
- Loyal, status, mobile, flexible, “Me”
**Generation X – born 1965-1979**
- Latchkey kids, independent, relationships
**Millennials – born after 1980 **
- “Pampered”, civic duty, integrated

**Notes:**
Generational expectations & experiences:  Almost a clash of generations and differing expectations about work and workers.  There are 4 “generations, with generalized characteristics:
Traditionalists (1929-49) – retirees, soon to be retired
grew up during wartime
acculturated to work in the traditional workplace; discipline, consistency, and knowing and abiding by the rules is very impotant
Baby boomers (1946-1964) — “Me generation”, largest age group in the nation
always pushing the envelope 
loyal and expected loyalty in return, 
status important; 
Redefining retirement
Generation X (1965-79) – hard to define, lots of negative myths:  Importance of family
latchkey kids” – two working parents, single parents
Independent, care about the future – own health, environment
status not especially important, seek meaningful work and leisure time
Millennials (born after 1980)
Helicopter parents – especially for middle and upper middle class parents very involved in their lives;  high parental expectations; high personal expectations; Family very important
Experience and comfort with diversity
Expect greater flexibility in the workplace

## The Workplace Has Changed

- Information age
- Educated workforce
- Continuing education
- Restructuring of
-   the workplace

## Exercise #2:  Artifacts

- 	“He’s too old . . . ”
- 	“Don’t hire immigrants”
- “Got the job because of AA . . .”
- 	“She’ll take time off to take care of sick kids”
- 	“Gays shouldn’t be hired”
- 	“...colored people...”

## III.  Making a Difference

- Seek out other perspectives
- Change management styles
- Use the “Platinum Rule”
- Avoid “Just Like Me”

## “Just Like Me” 

- Older Americans tend to segregate themselves by:
- 	Race		Age
- 	Class		Ethnicity
- And in:
- Work place	 Schools
- Church	 	Neighborhoods

## Summary

- Diversity is inclusive
- Talk to one another!
- Our backgrounds frame our experiences which in turn shape our perspectives
- The workplace must change to reflect the changing workforce
- “Just Like Me” is no longer relevant
- “...be the change you want to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi