The Building a House for Diversity

<p>What could an elephant and a giraffe teach people about working together? Some very important lessons it seems about the complex--and critically important--issues of dealing with diversity in the workforce. Building a House for Diversity begins with a short fable about how a friendship between the two animals is threatened when the house built for a tall skinny giraffe cannot accommodate his invited guest a broad bulky elephant. Using this story as a vivid metaphor for the difficult issues inherent in diversity the book goes on to demonstrate how managing diversity can be seen as a set of skills that anyone can learn and use. In a way that makes diversity management up close and personal Building a House for Diversity offers compelling real-life stories of individual experiences at work. It includes: * The perspective of both insiders (usually white males) and outsiders (usually minorities or women) * Insightful commentary illuminating what these experiences tell us about the challenges and opportunities of diversity * A particularly interesting segment on Phil Jackson legendary Chicago Bulls coach and how he dealt with diversity issues in his relationships to Michael Jordan Dennis Rodman Scottie Pippin and others * Hands-on guidance to help readers become diversity mature and take personal responsibility for their attitudes and actions. Throughout the book reflects the seminal thinking of R. Roosevelt Thomas Jr. a pioneer in articulating the concepts of managing diversity. In this book he has produced his most creative and practical approach to this continuing challenge.</p>