Making Diversity Work

About the Author

Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D. is one of the nation's leading experts on workplace diversity, cross-cultural business, and bias reduction. With nearly 30 years of experience in the field, she has helped numerous organizations address and overcome biases, fostering more inclusive and productive work environments. Thiederman's work draws from extensive research and practical applications, making her insights invaluable for executives and managers looking to improve diversity management.

Main Idea

Making Diversity Work: 7 Steps for Defeating Bias in the Workplace by Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D., is a comprehensive guide aimed at minimizing conscious and unconscious bias in the workplace. The book outlines a step-by-step process to help executives and managers identify, address, and overcome biases, thereby maximizing the benefits of a diverse workforce. Through real workplace examples, practical applications, and exercises, Thiederman provides the tools necessary for self-discovery, behavior change, and ultimately, healing within organizations.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Part One: The Basics of Bias
3. Part Two: The Vision Renewal Process
4. Step One: Become Mindful of Your Biases
5. Step Two: Put Your Biases Through Triage
6. Step Three: Identify the Secondary Gains of Your Biases
7. Step Four: Dissect Your Biases
8. Step Five: Identify Common Kinship Groups
9. Step Six: Shove Your Biases Aside
10. Step Seven: Fake It Till You Make It
11. Part Three: Gateway Events™
12. Cognitive Skills for Diversity Dialogue
13. Verbal Skills for Diversity Dialogue
14. Conclusion

Introduction

The introduction sets the stage by emphasizing the importance of diversity in modern workplaces. Thiederman highlights that while diverse workplaces contribute to innovation and better decision-making, the presence of bias can hinder these benefits. The goal of the book is to provide strategies to recognize and address both conscious and unconscious biases, enabling organizations to harness the full potential of their diverse workforce.

Part One: The Basics of Bias

Bias is defined as an inflexible positive or negative belief about a particular category of people. Thiederman explains that biases are often ingrained in our subconscious, making them difficult to identify and change. However, understanding the nature of bias and recognizing its manifestations are the first steps toward mitigating its impact.

“Bias is an attitude, not a behavior, and just because a word or action is consistent with a biased attitude does not automatically mean it actually reflects a biased attitude.” - Sondra Thiederman

Part Two: The Vision Renewal Process

Thiederman introduces the Vision Renewal Process, a seven-step framework designed to help individuals and organizations identify and overcome biases.

Step One: Become Mindful of Your Biases

This step involves recognizing and admitting biases, which can be challenging due to the fear of acknowledging less favorable aspects of ourselves. Strategies include observing and examining thoughts, exploring attitudes towards human differences, and observing behavior.

• Observe your thoughts and reactions to different kinship groups.
• Examine the emotional attachment to these thoughts to determine if they indicate bias.

Step Two: Put Your Biases Through Triage

This step involves prioritizing biases based on the damage they can cause. Thiederman suggests examining whether biases compromise hiring decisions, employee retention, or put the organization at risk of litigation.

• Consider if a bias affects your ability to hire the best candidates.
• Evaluate if your bias interferes with retaining quality employees.

Step Three: Identify the Secondary Gains of Your Biases

Biases often carry secondary gains, such as protection from diminished status, protection from loss, or an excuse to avoid discomfort. Recognizing these gains helps in understanding why biases persist and how to address them.

• Identify if a bias is protecting you from perceived loss or discomfort.
• Recognize the illusion of gains from holding onto a bias.

Step Four: Dissect Your Biases

Thiederman recommends a three-question inquiry to reveal the faulty logic behind biases: Where did you learn your bias? How many people have you met who conform to your bias? Have you met anyone who does not conform to your bias?