Organization leaders typically look at each job position, characterized as the same based on pay and job description, in the same way. They hire employees to do that particular job and often do not consider other capabilities that the employees may possess. This book examines how to optimize workforce performance by understanding the diversity of skills and competencies of employees.

Diversity is generally explored in terms of gender, race, nationality, disability, and other physical characteristics that differentiate one legally protected group of people from another. In the workplace, however, diversity can take on a different meaning, describing not only physical differences but also work performance characteristics unique to each individual employee. Inter-personnel diversity seeks to explore those diverse characteristics and begin to understand each employee's strengths and weaknesses so that they can be developed to benefit the employee and the organization. Thismuch-needed text will inform scholars and scholar-practitioners in HRD and workforce development how to use these differences to enhance the individual and the organization.

Autorentext

Claretha Hughes is Professor at the University of Arkansas, USA. She has over 27 years of diverse management, supervisory, and administrative experience in organizational and workforce development. She is a member of Association for Talent Development and has published articles in Human Resource Development Review, Advances in Developing Human Resources, Workforce Education Forum, and New Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development. Her book Valuing People and Technology in the Workplace: A Competitive Advantage Framework won the R. Wayne Pace Book of the Year award in 2012. She has a PhD from Virginia Tech, USA and her MBA is from the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, USA.

Zusammenfassung

This book analyzes the emerging concept of diversity intelligence, which values the differences in employees without attempting to make everyone alike. Organization leaders need diversity intelligence to better interact with the changing demographics in America and the global economy, by embracing differences as strengths rather than weaknesses. Without a clear understanding of diversity, leaders are not fully equipped to realize organizational goals through all employees.

The author highlights the importance of integrating diversity intelligence into leadership and career development plans alongside intellectual intelligence, emotional intelligence, and cultural intelligence. In order to fully motivate diverse individuals, leaders must first be able to recognize differences between themselves and others without it being an obstacle to performance. This book is a window into how leaders can reflect on their actions and behaviors to effectively implement new strategies, and is an essential read for HR researchers, professionals, consultants, and managers of global operating companies.  

Inhalt

1. Introduction to Diversity Intelligence.- 2. Intellectual, Emotional, Cultural, and Diversity Intelligences.- 3. Diversity Theory and Practice.- 4. Self and Organization Management Perspectives of Intelligences.- 5. Diversity Intelligence and Leadership Development.- 6. Diversity Intelligence and Career Development.- 7. Integrating Diversity Intelligence, Leadership and Career Development.- 8. Current Issues and Evolving Trends.