- Is there a lot of We versus They going on?
- Are people telling jokes that make others feel uncomfortable?
- Are some of your team members silent at meetings and you don’t know why?
I find that many leaders don’t think that they have diversity issues. People don’t usually bring up uncomfortable issues about gender, race, culture, generations, sexual orientation, religion, mentally or physically challenged. Start listening for jokes that insult diversity issues or bullying from the tough guy or gal. I tell my clients, I can’t change you if you are prejudiced. I can strongly suggest that you keep that prejudice at home in order to work as a team. Believe me when I say that this business conflict resolution consultant does what I can to open up everyone’s minds. It does not always work, but I sure do my best! The conversations are never dull during these trainings!
My logo says it all: When you have respect, you can resolve issues and get positive results.
My last post included a diversity exercise for you to use at future meetings to take down diversity barriers. Thanks to those of you who sent me private emails sharing
your diversity issues. This post will give you ideas to reduce conflict in the workplace…to increase respect.
If you use only a few of these suggestions you will realize that social barriers are about as thick as a piece of paper!
Click here for my post on the powerful diversity exercise that I use in my trainings.
Making Diversity Work for You
1. Hold meetings in locations that are accessible.
2. Support continuing education on diversity awareness.
3. Learn about others’ history, customs, etc.
4. Share with people who are different from you.
5. Acknowledge your own prejudices.
6. Interrupt discriminatory actions, conversations, jokes, etc., that you observe.
7. Speak out against discrimination.
8. Educate each other about differences and commonalities.
9. Encourage and support pursuit of new horizons.
10. Accept persons based on their individual value.
11. Seek support from others.
12. Accept differing views, ideas, perspectives and feelings of people.
13. Show interest in the lives of others.
14. Speak out when you hear lies being told about people who are targeted for discrimination.
15. Don’t automatically apply stereotypes to people who are unfamiliar to you.
I will include more strategies to use to remove more of your diversity issues in future posts. Please send me conflicts that your experience on your team concerning diversity challenges. We can start a very interesting dialogue!
Want to Use this Article in Your Newsletter or on Your Website?
Of course! You are welcome to print this, and any other articles we send, if you use the following byline:
A recognized expert on Resolving Conflict in the Workplace, Joyce Weiss, M.A., CSP is an author, accountability coach, and a Certified Speaking Professional. To book Joyce to speak at your event or company call: 800.713.1926 or email: Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com
Visit her website at JoyceWeiss.com to sign up for your own FREE video series and Communicate with Impact Weekly to Resolve Conflict in the Workplace.
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Please send me any comments that you may have about this article. Hit the link at the end of this post to share your ideas or questions. Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts to reduce conflict at the workplace and home. There may be someone in your life who is feeling stressed out…who could benefit from the inspiration and knowledge on improving their working condition or home life.
Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss, Business Conflict Resolution Consultant
I help people become top level leaders who get GREAT results.
How do I do this?
I teach them to tackle the tough conversations with bullies and negative people to build employee engagement, accountability, and rock star performance…
The Result? My clients get a better night’s sleep!
Feel free to call me concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, on line professional growth coaching, and keynote speeches.
Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!
Click here for my post on the powerful diversity exercise that I use in my trainings.
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