The Diversity Training Activity Book: 50 Activities for Promoting Communication and Understanding at Work

by Jonamay Lambert, Selma Myers

With our workforce becoming increasingly diverse, encouraging cultural and gender sensitivity and understanding in the workplace is key for businesses and leaders’ success. Tested with hundreds of participants to ensure the appropriateness and effectiveness for a variety of diversity training needs, the simple activities in this must-read guide show employees at all levels how to cope with differences and master new skills for communicating more effectively. Filled with activities, role-playing exercises, sample icebreakers, and case studies, The Diversity Training Activity Book teaches you how Get started now with these simple and powerful actions that will help all employees build a more collaborative, harmonious, and open workplace culture.

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2009

Reviews

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, though I'm not sure it delivers fully on its title. While there are a handful of good diversity exercises in here, some of them would require a fair amount of trust/psychological safety to already be present in the group. Many other exercises support diversity in a less direct way building things like improved team dynamics, listening, communication, trust, etc. I appreciate that there is an entire section devoted to women's issues in the workplace. Sadly, this book is a bit outdated and doesn't address some important groups (i.e. LBTQ, trans/fluid-gender, etc.). I still think this is an incredible resource for facilitators, leaders, and consultants. This book could be used regularly to build team understanding, trust and communication.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands-on training manual for understanding diversity

The modern workforce is multicultural, multigenerational and more diverse than any previous labor pool. This detailed activity book helps trainers teach employees how to approach diversity issues with empathy, sensitivity and understanding. Its exercises, designed by seasoned diversity trainers Jonamay Lambert and Selma Myers, can help promote awareness, improve communication, break down stereotypes, correct misconceptions and resolve conflicts. The authors, who assume that readers already have some experience as trainers, provide 50 discussions and activities that facilitators can use to help employees and managers deal properly with differences in ethnicity, gender, race and more. Using the provided lectures, questionnaires, handouts, discussions and role-playing exercises, trainers can help participants understand and work with cultural differences. getAbstract recommends this hands-on workbook to human resources directors, coaches, teachers and trainers in all kinds of organizations.

[Deodand · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this while doing research for a Communications class. This book may have some ideas for teamwork and brainstorming sessions, but there wasn't much novel here. I was hoping to find more innovation.

[Tammy]

Very informational and usable!