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From Diversity to Differences

Written by: Al Lucia

Article Overview: The word Diversity has developed unfortunate political and compliance connotations. See what a difference a word can make.

From Diversity to Differences

Sometimes there is very little joy in the workplace. Work can be a grind and not something that conjures up thoughts of life enhancement. So when an opportunity for joy presents itself, it should be embraced. This is where a discussion of difference among people comes in. The beliefs, habits, and rituals of different people can be intellectually stimulating and of practical benefit when it comes to empathy with internal and external customers.

Diversity training can go to the next level by teaching the joy of differences and at the same time, the subject can move from compliance to commitment.

Learning about differences can help to engage employees by providing understanding and therefore, better cooperation, with team members. In my Italian/American upbringing, I learned that you express appreciation and share hospitality by giving people food…the more the better…now there’s a way to bring joy to others. This is not right or wrong, just different and an example of enhancing each other’s life experiences.

Do you have an ethnic example you can use to bring some joy to someone’s life?

Related Articles
  Psychological Diversity
  Dealing With Different Personality Types: What M&Ms Teach You About Life
  Understanding Diversity in the Workplace
  Encouraging Respect and Diversity in an Organization
  We Must Embrace Diversity

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Related Forum Posts
Re: Art of Marketing - Differences, at some basic level, will always level the playing field - for the better. Take a look at the franchise fast food industry. Yes, the top concepts are there year after year, but if you take a step back, smaller concepts are always gaining market share. People love fast food. But people also love variety. Apply this to the Art of Marketing, there is a customer base everytime - however, its more how much of an artist you are in your customers eyes, not yours keep in mind.
Re: Two Useful Books To Help You Focus On The CLIENT - Hi David, To add to your thread, I'd like to recommend Jonathan Tisch's "Chocolates On The Pillow Aren't Enough: Reinventing The Customer Experience". Tisch's book includes content on "Welcoming Customers", "The New Art of Customization", "The Challenges of Customer Diversity" and "Offering Something Extra to Your Customers" to name a few.
Re: Art of Marketing - [quote="theFranchiseMarket":zr4fnhdv]Differences, at some basic level, will always level the playing field - for the better. Take a look at the franchise fast food industry. Yes, the top concepts are there year after year, but if you take a step back, smaller concepts are always gaining market share. People love fast food. But people also love variety. Apply this to the Art of Marketing, there is a customer base everytime - however, its more how much of an artist you are in your customers eyes, not yours keep in mind.[/quote:zr4fnhdv] Hi theFranchiseMarket, Can you expand and give an example on your comment about "smaller concepts"?


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