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Business Skills :: Diversity In Motion
Diversity
In Motion
A
personal experience
in multiculturalism
Awareness
and sensitivity are
major issues in all
areas of human relations. In
the workplace, sensitivity
to differences and
similarities is a
value that can be
learned. An
appropriate first
step in preventing
misunderstanding
and conflict is to
provide diversity
awareness training
for staff.
The
areas of greatest
concern in the workplace
is the ability of
diverse individuals
to work together
to build productive
teams that have a
common goal and a
clear vision of their
project/mission. Prevention
and education are
the primary issues
to be addressed.
The recommendation
to implement training
programs in organizations
that have specific
goals for team effort
and increased customer
service, is indeed
an appropriate first
step for any awareness
program.
Defining
insensitivity becomes
difficult, since
tolerance levels
vary among individuals,
ultimately sensitivity
is in the eye of
the beholder. However,
building awareness
around the issues
of bias will sensitize
staff to the effects
on inter-team communication,
intra-team communication,
and the overall work
environment. Building
an awareness of commonalities
will help employees
create harmony.
The
diversity workshop
ELM Associates will
provide can increase
awareness and sensitivity
and encourage mutual
respect and the open
communication necessary
to create a positive
and professional
work environment.
From
the management perspective,
the workshop will
assist employees
in providing a comfortable
and respectful workplace. Professional
staff must take an
active role in intervening
and preventing incidents. The
workshop is a powerful
tool to improve communication
between people, to
foster a team culture,
and create a harmonious
work environment.
The
World of Diversity
in Motion initiates
immediate personal
change. The
simulation makes
participants personally
aware of the issues
around culture differences. Participants
feel the alienation
and confusion that
comes from being
different. The
experience shakes
participants out
of thinking in stereotypes
of anyone who is
different. They
learn the value of
all the faces in
the workplace in
a safe, stimulating
culture
The
focus of the workshop
will be on experiential
learning. The
program incorporates
adult learning methodologies
and acknowledges
that participants
come to the program
with a wealth of
knowledge and experiences. Participants
will be encouraged
to share their knowledge
and experiences with
one another during
the debriefing process. In
addition the simulation
will:
o Build
an awareness of
how cultural differences
can profoundly
impact people.
o Motivate
employees to rethink
their behavior
and attitude toward
others.
o Allow
employees to examine
their own bias
and focus on how
they perceive differences.
o Examine
how stereotypes
are developed, barriers
created and misunderstandings
magnified.
o Identify
diversity issues
within the organization
that must be addressed.
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