Mosaic

We used to think of America as a melting pot where we would assimilate; today, it is a mosaic where we integrate. Through this beautiful mosaic, we view each person as unique who brings diverse experiences and backgrounds to our organizations. As a result, it is important that organizations leverage the individual differences of its workforce to enhance problem solving, innovation, and creativity. In order for organizations to remain competitive at home and globally, they need to implement strategic diversity and inclusion management. Once organizations establish alignment between the diversity program and the overall organizational strategy, there are numerous strategies to support the initiative. Some of these include:

• Defining a diversity and inclusion leadership committee.
• Establishing employee resource groups.
• Providing opportunities for community outreach.
• Marketing to all demographics.
• Including diversity and inclusion competencies in performance management processes.
• Training and developing employees to improve diversity and inclusion competencies.
• Identifying new recruiting methods.

Throughout my career I’ve had the opportunity to implement strategic diversity and inclusion management in a variety of organizations. Today, I represent EPI’s clients’ diversity and inclusion efforts and Colorado SHRM State Council, as the Diversity Director. This has been an exciting year at EPI where we facilitated a diversity and inclusion module that was part of a leadership program and this continues to be rolled out to 800 front line leaders. Through Colorado SHRM State Council, I supported three amazing diversity leaders as they provided our state with two diversity conferences. At these conferences, I had the honor of selecting and awarding both Colorado Springs Utilities and Integer with a Diversity Champion Award. As Colorado and the rest of the Nation awaits the Census 2010 results, I challenge all organizations to be proactive in their strategic diversity and inclusion management efforts versus waiting for the results that will present just how diverse our mosaic is today.