I need 2-3 paragraphs addressing this topic of discussion. I will need references cited, but I do not need a cover page.
Discussion 8.1: Once you “research how your chosen leader (Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz) did or did not follow best practices and initiatives for achieving cultural diversity in the organization,” we can compare that leader’s efforts against our own experience as well as on research. The discussion asks two questions to consider/address when writing the paragraphs:
- Do you think these initiatives are critical for successful leadership? Why or why not?
- Did the leader hold managers accountable for diversity practices? How or how not?
I ask you to think in terms of diversity, not only in the US, but globally. Also consider not just racial, sexual, and cultural diversity, but also generational, national, geographical, religious, and other factors important in a diverse workforce. Think also a bit about diverse customers, market dynamics, and economics. Clearly an enterprise will need to think differently about selling into the developing world than in North America, Europe, and East Asia. What have our leaders done in developing their workforces and organizations to address diverse markets?
Consider also the operational and strategic benefits and challenges of a diverse workforce. It is politically correct to talk about the advantages—but what about the challenges and even disadvantages to building a diverse workforce. How do/did our leaders overcome these issues? Did the enterprise do just enough to comply with the law and keep from getting sued—or did it embrace being diverse and global?
Certain types of enterprises have some diversity built in—global companies like GE are very diverse. But even in a global company, it has had to work hard—especially in developing diverse leadership. Here are two articles about GE—one ranking it #10 in diversity leadership in 2013; the other criticizing it for not enough diversity in 2000 (right before Jack Welch retired). (Note: when comparing leaders on diversity efforts, make sure to take time-period into account. What was normal, or even achievable, 20 years ago, would be considered sub-standard today.)
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