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Differences That Work

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Differences That Work: Organizational Excellence through Diversity
Edited with an Introduction by Mary C. Gentile
Forward by R. Roosevelt Thomas

Differences That Work: Organizational Excellence through Diversity is a collection of 16 articles from the Harvard Business Review. Many of the articles were written over 15 years ago, but their content is still relevant today. The book does not directly tell the reader how to manage diversity in the workplace, but presents situations that compel the reader to question their own reaction if confronted with similar situations.
Part I of the book offered an explanation of why diversity is becoming an increasingly important topic in the workplace. William B. Johnston, in “Global Workforce 2000: The New World Labor Market” explains that workplace diversity is not just a challenge in the United States. It is a challenge faced around the globe. Developing nations are producing educated workers faster than their economies are able to employ them. Therefore, these workers are immigrating to countries where they have the greatest opportunity. (p. 5)
In order to attract the most talented workers, and stay competitive in the global marketplace, employers will have to learn to value the diverse talents that their changing workforce brings to the table. They will have to use these diverse talents to their competitive advantage instead of trying to fit all workers into the same mold. If the world (not just the United States) does not learn how to deal with the expanding diversity of the workforce, talented individuals will search for greater opportunities and greater respect elsewhere.
In the article “From Affirmative Action to Affirming Diversity”, R. Roosevelt Thomas explains how affirmative action served its purpose, but is no longer applicable. Affirmative action got the numbers in the workforce, but it hasn’t

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