PERSONAL IDENTITY AND DIVERSITYIn the workplace

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE DEFINITION OF DIVERSITY IS?In the workplace.

DIVERSITY Refers to a variety of difference between people in an organization or company.

• Encompasses race, gender, ethnic group, age, personality, cognitive style, tenure, organizational function, education, background and more.

• Video Example:• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK-Cf9R4q-c

WITH DIVERSITY COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY

• The generation gap• There are plenty of challenges that either enable or disable us when it

comes to communication with people who are so different.• For example: language and cultural barriers can be a huge challenge• Some people may be resistant to change and they may need help in

adapting to the social and cultural diversity they are being opened up to. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfkrSrYUS_I

• Those same language and cultural barriers that can challenge us are the same ones that can benefit us. • Diversity brings fresh ideas to the table and it widens the customer pool

which is very beneficial to a company or organization.

HOW DIVERSITY IS HELPFUL IN THE WORKPLACE:

•It improves work efficiency in employees•It gives the opportunities for many different ideas to come together•Increased adaptability

•Greater variety of solutions to problems in service and brings fresh talent•The whole world is defined by diversity and if the workplace isn’t participating in it then they will fall behind (globalization)

AMONGST THE TOP 50 DIVERSE COMPANIES GLOBALLY

•Coke a cola•Fed ex•Starbucks•Nordstrom•Microsoft•Build a bear•Mercedes Benz•Zappos.com•Adobe•Four Seasons Hotel

HOW CAN DIVERSITY BE PRODUCTIVE ?

• Having a broad spectrum of personalities, ideas, concepts, or resources is a great way to complete any project.

• Creativity can also be a highlight of any project in which a diverse group of people work on.

❖ “New ideas and stimulus to add to the creative fire”

WHAT IS PERSONAL IDENTITY TO YOU?

PERSONAL IDENTITY • Informal definition-

• Who Am I?• Formal definition-

• - attributes (behavioral, temperamental, emotional, mental) that characterize a unique individual

PERSONAL IDENTITY CONT.

• It contains these four domains:

• Physical (what one does)

• Mental (how one thinks)

• Emotional (what one feels)

• Spiritual (what one is)

HOW PERSONAL IDENTITY CAN BE HELPFUL IN THE

WORKPLACE:• It’s good to know your own personality

• Knowing how your personality clashes and meshes with others • Your strengthens and weaknesses vs. theirs

• It helps figure out where you fit in with a company or organization• Nonprofit Organization• Company Mission

BALANCING YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE

• The workplace helps shape your identity, but it does not define who you are.

• Find personal fulfillment outside of work• This reduces the risk of losing one’s sense of purpose and identity • Examples: hobbies, family, personal interests, clubs, etc.

PERSONAL IDENTITY: POOR OUTCOMES

•There is a severe identity crisis in the workplace that is reducing productivity, minimizing trust and setting people back in their careers.

•In today’s new normal, people want to be part of a workplace culture that allows them to be their natural, authentic self.  An identity that supports their own personal reinvention efforts to be more purposeful, responsible and accountable in the workplace.

POOR OUTCOMES CONT.•America’s employees are losing their identity and their skill-sets are becoming outdated while their employers try to figure out their future.  If employers continue to hold their employees hostage to the problem, workplace performance will be strained and dissatisfaction will continue to rise with no real solutions in sight

•Do you ever feel that your identity has become marginalized because your self-worth as an employee has become defined by an employer that only views you as head-count liability rather than a valuable asset?

DIVERSITY + PERSONAL IDENTITY= SUCCESS!

•Both diversity and personal identity coincide to create a sufficient work environment.•If you know yourself (personal identity) then you know your strength and weaknesses and if you know those then you can work with others who have different personalities (diversity).

WHO ARE YOU?Take a personality test