why (and how) difference matters now

Why (and how)

Difference Matters

Now

joe gerstandt

consider this…

…a long time ago, in a far away galaxy, there was a man

named Uri Treisman

consider this…1.Lack of Adequate

Preparation2.Socio-economic Status3.Lack of Family Support4.Lack of Motivation

consider this…1.Assumptions2.Intentions vs. Impact3.Stereotypes4.“They” vs. “WE”

overview

1.What2.Why3.Making a

Case4.Q & A

what

diversity is…• difference• relational• multi-

dimensional• dynamic• contextual

inclusion is…

identity

diversity

cognitive diversity

differences in mental

processes of perception, judgment,

categorization, rules of

thumb, etc.

why

know these nine things you

must

1-new competitive advantage

Change is the engine of growth.

Sustainable, profitable change is fueled by

innovation.

1-new competitive advantage

Change is the engine of growth.

Sustainable, profitable change is fueled by

innovation.

Wisdom of Crowds | James Surowiecki

The Medici Effect | Frans Johansson

2-generational transition

34.7

44.6

35.4

25.7

21.1

10.8

1.8

27.9

54.9

44.8

27.4

13.7

13.9

19.9

13.5

-0.3

-9.1

-6.2

4.5

-5.7

95 years and over

90 to 94 years

85 to 89 years

80 to 84 years

75 to 79 years

70 to 74 years

65 to 69 years

60 to 64 years

55 to 59 years

50 to 54 years

45 to 49 years

40 to 44 years

35 to 39 years

30 to 34 years

25 to 29 years

20 to 24 years

15 to 19 years

10 to 14 years

5 to 9 years

under 5 years

US Population Percent Change by Age: 1990 to 2000

3-new workforce

4-new consumers

5-new contract

6-better problem solving

The Difference | Scott Page

7-culture rules

8-human nature

9-conformity kills

making the case

the business case The purpose of a business

case is to capture the reasoning for initiating a project or task.

The logic of the business case is that any time resources such as money or effort are consumed, they should be in support of the

business.

the business case

a business case is an argument

the business caseWHAT: what action are you

recommendingWHO: who are the key playersWHEN: summary of timelineHOW: how will action be

implementedWHY: what is value of action

the business case

why1.benefit2.evidence3.number4.story

the business case

benefitWhat is the business

impact of what you are proposing?

the business case

evidenceWhy do you believe

that what you are proposing will have

this impact?

the business case

number$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

the business case

storyAdditional evidence in the form of a story or

example.

the business case

the process1. Know What Matters

Most

the business case

the process2. Figure out What You

Want To Do (WWWHW)

the business case

the process3. Tell a Friend

the business case

the process4. Prepare your

Proposal

the business case

an exampleNewly responsible for diversity and inclusion at a regional bank in

the midwest – 900 employees.

the business case

an exampleDemographics seem good, but issues with retention,

and interpersonal / interdepartmental

conflict.

the business case

an exampleResearch from Hubbard &

Hubbard Inc., shows that it is common for 20-90% of work time

to be wasted on unnecessary drama, barriers, dysfunctional

relations/communications

the business case

an example25% = 2 hours per day$15 per hour$30/day/per person x number of

employees ($27,000 per day)50% that is diversity related$3.5 million / year+

the business case

an exampleTraining$50,000 to develop workshop

and materials$40,500 in lost “on the job”

timeTotal Cost = approx. $100,000

the business case

an exampleTraining• Business objectives• Performance objectives• Learning objectives

– awareness– learning– skills

the business caseWHAT: what action are you

recommendingWHO: who are the key playersWHEN: summary of timelineHOW: how will action be

implementedWHY: what is value of action

the business case

So……let’s give it a try!

the business case

get to know your team

the business case

pick a project

the business case

whatwho

whenhowwhy

the business case

why1.benefit2.evidence3.number4.story

the business caseAdditional Considerations• How does this action connect to

organizational strategy?• Have other options been considered?• Are all key players on board?• What supporting research / evidence

do you have?

the business caseAdditional

Considerations• Benchmark internally for progress,

externally for process.• Capture numbers and stories.• Look at numbers inside the

numbers…special attention for disparity.

the business caseintegrated strategy

1.leadership2.workforce diversity3.inclusive culture4.culturally competent relations

resources• The Hidden Connections: A Science

for Sustainable Living | Fritjof Capra• The Living Company | Arie De Geus• Presence | Peter Senge• One From Many: VISA and the Rise of

the Chaordic Organization | Dee Hock• The Difference: How the Power of

Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools, and Societies | Scott Page

resources• Achieving Success Through Social

Capital: Tapping Hidden Resources in Your Personal and Business Network | Wayne E. Baker

• A Whole New Mind | Daniel Pink • The Medici Effect | Frans Johansson• Diversity Inc. | www.diversityinc.com• The Wisdom of Crowds | James

Surowiecki

resources• Leveraging the New Human Capital:

Adaptive Strategies, Results Achieved, and Stories of Transformation | Sandra Burud

• The No Asshole Rule | Robert Sutton• Killing Rage: Ending Racism | bell

hooks• Competitive Advantage Through

People: Unleashing the Power of the Work Force | Jeffrey Pfeffer

resources• The Difference: How the Power of

Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools and Societies | Scott E. Page

• Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking | Malcolm Gladwell

• Rise of the Creative Class | Richard Florida

• Social Cognition | Ziva Kunda

resources• Implementing Diversity

Measurement and Management | Edward Hubbard

• Diversity Executive Magazine | www.diversity-executive.com

• OurTimeToAct.com

joe gerstandt

next next

generationgeneration

peoplepeople

practicespractices

inclusive culture

innovative leadership

joe gerstandt

www.OurTimeToAct.com

joe.gerstandt@gmail.comwww.twitter.com/joegerstandt

www.linkedin.com/in/joegerstandtwww.facebook.com/joegerstandt

402.740.7081