Diversity Management in the Energy Industry Recent studies show a significant correlation between a culture of inclusion (which can be created with an effective diversity management strategy) and long-term business success. For example, in their book “The New Corporate Cultures: Revitalizing the Workplace after Downsizing,” Deal & Kennedy reported that strong inclusive cultures averaged 571 percent higher gains in operating earnings and 417 percent higher…
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Politics & Diversity – Pt I
Politics & Diversity – Pt I DNC Day 1 The first thing that struck me about the convention was the DNC’s summary of the diversity of the delegates. On every newscast covering the convention, it was noted that: 24% of delegates are African American.12% of delegates are Latino/Hispanic6% of delegates are gay/lesbian4% of delegates have physical disabilities.17% of delegates are 36 or younger12% of delegates…
Politics & Diversity – Pt II
Politics & Diversity – Pt II The lineup of speakers at a political convention is interesting. It’s almost like a court proceeding. is a cast of witnesses, some expert, most not. Some resonate with the jury. Others fall flat. The idea, of course, is not necessarily wow the jury, but to get the ideas on the record. As I sat in the convention hall, I…
Politics & Diversity – Pt III
Politics & Diversity – Pt III Now this is the way for a non-delegate to attend a political convention! First, let me confess that I am not a registered Democrat (or Republican). I identify as a (conservative leaning) Independent. But as a former Democrat, I could not pass up an invitation to attend the convention as a VIP Guest. Besides, it was being held in…
Summarize & Simplify
Summarize & Simplify Spoke recently to the incoming MBA class at The Goizueta School Of Business at Emory University. The panel included several senior executives from large corporations. I was the only consultant or external practitioner on the panel. After the session, one of the visiting participants came up to me and made the following comment. She said, “you have a remarkable ability to summarize…
Diversity & Management – Pt I
Diversity & Management – Pt I Many of you have heard me make a clear distinction between leadership and management. I believe that leadership is an impersonal activity. Management is a much more intimate activity. Leaders stand before the group and paint a compelling picture of the direction the group is going. They seldom if ever go door-to-door to make sure every person in the group understands their…
Over-Led & Under-Managed
Over-Led & Under-Managed Back in 1977, Harvard professor Abraham Zaleznik penned his classic article entitled, Managers and Leaders: Are They Different? Over the next twenty five years, dozens of high profile authors have referenced that work and have concluded that yes, they are different and that failing companies obviously suffer from being under led and over-managed. So, for the last thirty years there has been a…
Diversity & Management – Pt II
Diversity & Management – Pt II The McKinsey Quarterly reported in its 2008 edition that nearly half of the executives that they surveyed identified increased competition for talent as the trend that will have the greatest effect on their companies over the next five years. They further report that a majority of the respondents say that their companies don’t have a clear view of how to…
Diversity & Management – Part III
Diversity & Management – Part III or a lot of obvious reasons, innovation has become the new catchword in business. Recent research by McKinsey reveals that there is a wide gap between the aspirations of executives to innovate and their ability to execute. 70% of senior executives say that innovation will be among the top three drivers of growth in the next three to five…
Create Deliberate Diversity By Following These 7 Steps – Part 1 of 2
Create Deliberate Diversity By Following These 7 Steps – Part 1 of 2 Deliberate Diversity™ is a management discipline with a purpose, a process and a payoff. It is where diversity and management skills intersect and is designed to produce better business results. For companies looking to take the next logical step in their diversity journey, this management discipline allows for continued growth and ensures that…