Keeping the peace when we are all so different

Tim NationDirector and cofounder,Peace Learning Center

Men & women in the workforce

70%

67%

62%

58%55%

53% 52% 52%

30%

33%

38%

43%45%

47% 48% 48%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2015

Men Women

Sources: 1 Toosi, Mitra.:  "Monthly Labor Review May 2002 A century of change: the U.S. labor force, 1950–2050“, Totals may add up to more than 100 percent due to rounding2 College Gender Gap Widens: 57% are women, USA TODAY, Mary Beth Marklein, October 19, 2005.

Minorities in the workforce

82%78%

73%69%

65%61%

18%

24%28%

32%36%

41%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030

White, not Hispanic Total Minorities

Source: Toosi, Mitra.:  "Monthly Labor Review May 2002 A century of change: the U.S. labor force, 1950–2050“, Totals may add up to more than 100 percent due to rounding. Reference: 2010 US total population: 64% is White, not Hispanic and 36% is Minority. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Quick Facts

Implications

The population is becomingincreasingly diverse

ImplicationsIt is becoming increasingly important to be able to attract, retain and leverage the experience of people from diverse backgrounds to continue and grow Kiwanis

The irony….we need diversity to survive

Yet, neuroscience tells us that…

the human brain seeks to find

connections to EXISTING patterns!

How the Brain Works

Action

Conclusions/story

Meaning/ emotion

Data

Filters &predictivelistening

Source: The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, Peter Senge, Art Kleiner, Charlotte Roberts, Richard Ross & Bryan Smith

Hearing Diverse Ideas…

is counterto how the

brain works!

Everyone is diversity-challenged

Creating stereotypes is natural, human and even healthy (to some extent)

“When we process any new idea we create a map of that idea in our mind, and then compare it subconsciously in a fraction of a second to our existing maps…..Our brains like to create order out of the chaos of data coming into them, to make links between information so that our lives make more sense.” - David Rock, Quiet Leadership

Everyone is diversity-challenged

Acting on our stereotypes without recognizing the unique individuality of each person with whom we interact is unhealthy

When have your stereotypes been beneficial to you? How have they served you?

When has acting on your stereotypes had you inadvertently “discriminate” against someone?

Have you ever been inaccurately

stereotyped? How did it make you

feel?

Diversity awarenessoften focuses

on understanding how “they” are different

The focus should be on us!

We all have conscious and unconscious

biases and stereotypes!

Diversity-competent people

Understand the diverse elements in a situation

Diversity-competent people

Are consciously aware of their biases, stereotypes and preconceived notions and do not allow them to impact their decision making

Diversity-competent people

Focus on the outcomes they are working to achieve

Diversity-competent people

Actively listen and establish opencommunication and rapport with thepeople involved

Diversity-competent people

Partner in coming to a quality decision in the midst of the similarities, differences and tensions that exist

“If there is any great secret of success in life, it lies in the ability to put yourself in the other person’s place and to see things from his

point of view—as well as your own.” Henry Ford

Questions and comments?

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