Comments on: Diversity Training Fails http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/ The eclectic ramblings of jonolan Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:56:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: hanzada naguib http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-30488 hanzada naguib Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:37:09 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-30488 I think what is happening here is that most of the respectful colleagues are under-mining the benefits corporations may attain , if they just took enough time to carefully assess their business needs. It goes beyond visible demographic variations, or mere compliance with laws. We are dealing with a complex asset , human beings with different backgrounds, attitudes, and competence.It's not the counting of males and females, it's the mindset behind adopting a negative attitude sometimes unconsciously against the other. Let's go through the main reasons why such arguments still exist : a) Diversity training is poorly planned and measured; b)The nature of the specific requirements of every workforce is not met (needs may vary among levels); c)Human capital is not properly audited, despite its huge increasing importance. Finally, it's the change resistance inside each one of us, we are still prisoners of the archaic bias against each other. Open up for change, at least consider new ways of measuring. Think of Diversity management as a continuum where you use proper feed back to optimize it, but don't discard it altogether. I think what is happening here is that most of the respectful colleagues are under-mining the benefits corporations may attain , if they just took enough time to carefully assess their business needs.

It goes beyond visible demographic variations, or mere compliance with laws. We are dealing with a complex asset , human beings with different backgrounds, attitudes, and competence.It’s not the counting of males and females, it’s the mindset behind adopting a negative attitude sometimes unconsciously against the other.

Let’s go through the main reasons why such arguments still exist : a) Diversity training is poorly planned and measured; b)The nature of the specific requirements of every workforce is not met (needs may vary among levels); c)Human capital is not properly audited, despite its huge increasing importance.

Finally, it’s the change resistance inside each one of us, we are still prisoners of the archaic bias against each other. Open up for change, at least consider new ways of measuring.

Think of Diversity management as a continuum where you use proper feed back to optimize it, but don’t discard it altogether.

]]> By: aafke http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2588 aafke Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:11:49 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2588 Another danger by placing somebody in a responsible job who might not be quite up for it is: You also wouldn't want to re-enforce the traditional urban myths: See, it's proven: women can't be managers/good drivers/etc. What we want is to cut loose from stereotyping, and perheaps a more complete acknowligment of women/coloured/ethnic, etc. people, as possible capable talented persons in their own right. Another danger by placing somebody in a responsible job who might not be quite up for it is: You also wouldn’t want to re-enforce the traditional urban myths: See, it’s proven: women can’t be managers/good drivers/etc.
What we want is to cut loose from stereotyping, and perheaps a more complete acknowligment of women/coloured/ethnic, etc. people, as possible capable talented persons in their own right.

]]> By: Steph http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2587 Steph Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:08:13 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2587 We never had affirmative action in employment or education because it's illegal under European law but we have diversity training and women get paid not to work four days a month. We never had affirmative action in employment or education because it’s illegal under European law but we have diversity training and women get paid not to work four days a month.

]]> By: jonolan http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2586 jonolan Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:07:53 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2586 Welcome back, Steph! Yes, I'd have to agree with you on that. Affirmative Action was a necessary but harsh medicine for an earlier, sicker American society, but it cannot be thought of as a "maintenance regimen." There has reached a point where racial and gender diversity has become a holy grail instead of an offshoot of practical and good business and societal practices. Welcome back, Steph!

Yes, I’d have to agree with you on that. Affirmative Action was a necessary but harsh medicine for an earlier, sicker American society, but it cannot be thought of as a “maintenance regimen.” There has reached a point where racial and gender diversity has become a holy grail instead of an offshoot of practical and good business and societal practices.

]]> By: Steph http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2582 Steph Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:58:28 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2582 Having a pussy might be a qualification for some professions but it should never be a qualification for a managerial role. Having an unqualified or incompetent employee in a position of responsibility hurts the company and disempowers the individual because guess what? They know they're crap at their job and they know everyone else does too. Affirmative action is discrimination. Having a pussy might be a qualification for some professions but it should never be a qualification for a managerial role. Having an unqualified or incompetent employee in a position of responsibility hurts the company and disempowers the individual because guess what? They know they’re crap at their job and they know everyone else does too.

Affirmative action is discrimination.

]]> By: jonolan http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2519 jonolan Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:38:35 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2519 Robert, I'm shocked that you haven't seen diversity training in the California companies; I would have thought that CA would be the epicenter of such things. The study shows that it's not that diversity training is necessarily bad - though I've witnessed some horrible examples - but that, when it's mandated it tends to have little or no positive effect. Companies will always tend towards spending the least necessary to protect themselves. Robert,

I’m shocked that you haven’t seen diversity training in the California companies; I would have thought that CA would be the epicenter of such things.

The study shows that it’s not that diversity training is necessarily bad – though I’ve witnessed some horrible examples – but that, when it’s mandated it tends to have little or no positive effect. Companies will always tend towards spending the least necessary to protect themselves.

]]> By: robert roels http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2513 robert roels Sat, 26 Jan 2008 05:44:44 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2513 Hi Jonolan; My clients are US companies that range in gross revenues from $5 to $700 Million a year. They are a reflection of most businesses. I have yet to see this type of training in California with my clients. As a matter of fact, most middle management have had no training as managers period. They learn as they go. It appears that this Diversification Training may make it even worse that the quality of managers that are out there now. Its ludicrous, we can send a man to the moon and are still trying to figure out how to manage :) Robert Hi Jonolan;

My clients are US companies that range in gross revenues from $5 to $700 Million a year. They are a reflection of most businesses.

I have yet to see this type of training in California with my clients.

As a matter of fact, most middle management have had no training as managers period. They learn as they go.

It appears that this Diversification Training may make it even worse that the quality of managers that are out there now. Its ludicrous, we can send a man to the moon and are still trying to figure out how to manage :)

Robert

]]> By: jonolan http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2487 jonolan Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:41:02 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2487 Kim, Affirmative Action is a legal process whereby institutions - universities, corporations, government agencies, etc... - must give at least marginally preferential treatment to minority groups. Diversity training is a follow-on program to ensure that that these minorities are well treated and promoted within those institutions. A great deal of the diversity training curriculum is teaching people about the various anti-discrimination laws and how to report people or institutions who violate them. Off Topic: Simply put, recall elections are not allowed in New York. Kim,

Affirmative Action is a legal process whereby institutions – universities, corporations, government agencies, etc… – must give at least marginally preferential treatment to minority groups. Diversity training is a follow-on program to ensure that that these minorities are well treated and promoted within those institutions.

A great deal of the diversity training curriculum is teaching people about the various anti-discrimination laws and how to report people or institutions who violate them.

Off Topic: Simply put, recall elections are not allowed in New York.

]]> By: Kim http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2485 Kim Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:33:52 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2485 Hey now! LOL Hey now! LOL

]]> By: aafke http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2484 aafke Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:37:53 +0000 http://blog.jonolan.net/society/diversity-training-31-years-of-failure/#comment-2484 LOL: If jobs were really awarded on knowledge and experience, thén white males would probably be in the minority now. :) LOL: If jobs were really awarded on knowledge and experience, thén white males would probably be in the minority now. :)

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