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The End of Diversity As We Know It: Why Diversity Efforts Fail and How Leveraging Difference Can Succeed
The idea for this book came to Martin Davidson during a disarmingly honest conversation with a CFO he worked with. “Look,” the executive said, clearly troubled. “I know we can get a diverse group of people around the table. But so what? What difference does it really make to getting bottom-line results?”
Answering the “so what?” led Davidson to explore the flaws in how companies typically manage diversity. They don’t integrate diversity into their overall business strategy. They focus on differences that have little impact on their business. And often their diversity efforts end up hindering the professional development of the very people they were designed to help.
Davidson explains how what he calls Leveraging Difference™ turns persistent diversity problems into solutions that drive business results. Difference becomes a powerful source of sustainable competitive advantage instead of a distracting mandate handed down from HR.
To begin with, leaders must identify the differences most important to achieving organizational goals, even if the differences aren’t the obvious ones. The second challenge is to help employees work together to understand the ways these differences matter to the business. Finally, leaders need to experiment with how to use these relevant differences to get things done. Davidson provides compelling examples of how organizations have tackled each of these challenges.
Ultimately this is a book about leadership. As with any other strategic imperative, leaders need to take an active role—drive rather than just delegate. Successfully leveraging difference can be what distinguishes an ordinary organization from an extraordinary one.
Answering the “so what?” led Davidson to explore the flaws in how companies typically manage diversity. They don’t integrate diversity into their overall business strategy. They focus on differences that have little impact on their business. And often their diversity efforts end up hindering the professional development of the very people they were designed to help.
Davidson explains how what he calls Leveraging Difference™ turns persistent diversity problems into solutions that drive business results. Difference becomes a powerful source of sustainable competitive advantage instead of a distracting mandate handed down from HR.
To begin with, leaders must identify the differences most important to achieving organizational goals, even if the differences aren’t the obvious ones. The second challenge is to help employees work together to understand the ways these differences matter to the business. Finally, leaders need to experiment with how to use these relevant differences to get things done. Davidson provides compelling examples of how organizations have tackled each of these challenges.
Ultimately this is a book about leadership. As with any other strategic imperative, leaders need to take an active role—drive rather than just delegate. Successfully leveraging difference can be what distinguishes an ordinary organization from an extraordinary one.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published December 5, 2011
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109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 17, 2019
This book is dense and dry. I did not enjoy it, and it feels a bit dated. Why did I read this book? I honestly have no idea. However, I regret that decision.
June 22, 2012
Thought-provoking idea that while there will always be a need for traditional diversity programs, they haven't and won't go far enough to truly move the needle. Not until we can directly link diversity to the business (ie true competitive advantage) will diversity efforts really get traction. And Prof Davidson calls that "leveraging differences," vs "managing differences.".
May 1, 2012
This book takes a look at diversity in the workplace and how diversity not only of ethnicity and race, but also of thought can make the workplace richer.
April 9, 2017
Eyes-wide-open view of contemporary practices in human capital diversity.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews