Making Diversity Work offers fresh and fascinating ideas for reducing bias--one person at a time. "Bias lies in every heart and mind--it is also where the answers lie," writes diversity expert Sondra Thiederman. By focusing on the individual, rather than the organization, she defines a powerful focus for bias busting in the workplace. Racial and sexual bias costs big bucks warns Thiederman, citing litigation, lowered sales, and loss of employees and customers. Using case studies, politically incorrect questions, and insightful strategies, she guides readers through "the discomfort of self discovery."

After detailing how biases are learned, Thiederman introduces seven steps to prevent bias from blocking and distorting your work relationships. The book's centerpiece is a brilliant discussion of how to manage "gateway events,"(for example, hearing an inappropriate comment or being treated with a biased behavior) and start a conversation about sticky diversity issues. This brave and groundbreaking analysis should define the direction of diversity training for decades to come. --Barbara Mackoff


From Publishers Weekly
Thiederman, a speaker on workplace diversity and author of Profiting in America's Multicultural Marketplace, offers practical ways everyone can be more aware of their biases, stereotypes and negative attitudes. It's essential, according to the author, that everyone, from low-level employee to business owner and executive, be more mindful of diversity in order to communicate more effectively, manage others and be more successful at work. Biases hurt everyone because they hinder decision making, hiring and keeping workers. "One of the really creepy things about biases is that they can easily become self-fulfilling prophecies. If a manager believes that an employee has a certain characteristic, darn if she doesn't find a way to make that characteristic come true." The author offers concrete steps to combat biases, including dissecting those biases and "putting them through triage." Thiederman uses her own experiences as well as those of others who give firsthand accounts. The writing is clear, and her approach is textbook-like with chapter summaries and sidebars emphasizing key points. In the end, this is a levelheaded examination of this important topic, which is already covered in many other books. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the issues of diversity and bias reduction are pivotal for individuals and corporations, but cost the latter time, energy, and money. The workplace, community, and individuals are impacted by biases that are distorted views of other human beings, created by messages from the past and sustained by fear of what will happen in the future. Thiederman, a consultant, sets out to instruct us on the subtler forms of bias, not the violent ones but those perpetrated by "otherwise nice people, people like us." Her goal is to reduce bias to the point where individuals will instinctively behave in appropriate ways and no longer need to be politically correct or merely follow the law. The author offers strategies for becoming aware of our biases, learning how to overcome them, and then avoiding relapses. While this is an obvious infomercial for the author's consulting services, the book nevertheless offers valuable insight into a critically important consideration in today's society. Mary Whaley
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Ganthead.com
"This business-savvy book successfully links workforce problem-solving with diversity strategies."


WeLead Online Magazine
"If you desire to read just one powerful and frank book on diversity, Making Diversity Work should be it."


Publishers Weekly
"...a levelheaded examination of an important topic."


The Advisor (SHRM)
"This is a very readable volume that could serve as a valuable text for coaching, conflict mediation, or diversity training."


Booklist (The American Library Association)
"The author shows us how to fix the subtler forms of bias, those perpetuated by 'nice people, people like us.'"


Book Description
Litigation. Costly turnover. Lost business. Discrimination. These are the penalties workplace bias exacts from American business-penalties that companies cannot afford to pay. Calling on her 25 years of experience in the field, diversity expert Dr. Sondra Thiederman has found a way to prevent these losses by providing executives and managers with a step-by-step strategy for minimizing bias and maximizing the ability to effectively manage diversity. To that end-and ignoring the stifling rules of political correctness-Dr. Thiederman dissects the problems surrounding diversity in the workplace and offers specific, do-able strategies focused on creating individual change. Using real-life examples, practical tips, and exercises, she guides readers on a journey of self-discovery, intellectual awareness, and healing. The workplace and personal anecdotes in Making Diversity Work have been obtained from a research survey conducted by the author. Making Diversity Work outlines: * How to see people more accurately and, therefore, to function more effectively and feel more comfortable in a diverse workplace. * Seven steps to defeat biases. * How to accurately identify biased attitudes. * Tools to help confront the fears that underlie biases. * Skills to communicate effectively when faced with diversity-related conflict. Women or men, black or white, gay or straight, immigrant or native-born-everyone has prejudices. Making Diversity Work shifts the dialogue from blame to emphasis on the responsibility everyone shares to rid the workplace of bias. Dr. Thiederman delivers the prescription to defeat bias in the workplace in this definitive book for executives, managers, human resources professionals, and diversity practitioners.


Book Info
Text provides executives and managers with a step-by-step strategy for minimizing bias and maximizing the ability to manage diversity effectively. DLC: Discrimination in employment.


About the Author
Dr. Sondra Thiederman is one of the nation’s leading experts on workplace diversity, cross-cultural business, and bias reduction. As President of Cross-Cultural Communications, a San Diego based training firm, Sondra has 25 years experience as a speaker, trainer, and author helping professionals in Fortune 500 companies, public sector organizations, and dozens of associations find ways to successfully navigate our increasingly-diverse workplaces. Since receiving her doctorate with an emphasis on cross-cultural studies from UCLA, Sondra has helped hundreds of organizations develop solutions to their cross-cultural and diversity challenges. Among her clients are such leading organizations as Xerox Corporation, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Marriott Corporation, Century 21 Real Estate, American Express, The Federal Reserve Bank, Motorola, and AT&T. She has also addressed notable associations including the Arthritis Foundation, the Society for Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business, the American Society of Association Executives, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. In addition, she has served as consultant to the University of California and the American Cancer Society and has been appointed by Elizabeth Dole to serve on the Diversity Cabinet of the American Red Cross. Sondra has extensive media experience including mention in such national publications as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and U.S.A Today. She is published in professional journals ranging from Personnel Journal to Real Estate Today, has written on diversity for the web site Monster.com, and is the author of four books including the ground-breaking Making Diversity Work: Seven Steps for Defeating Bias in the Workplace.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Litigation. Costly turnover. Lost business. Discrimination. These are the penalties workplace bias exacts from American business-penalties that companies cannot afford to pay. Calling on her 25 years of experience in the field, diversity expert Dr. Sondra Thiederman has found a way to prevent these losses by providing executives and managers with a step-by-step strategy for minimizing bias and maximizing the ability to effectively manage diversity.

To that end-and ignoring the stifling rules of political correctness-Dr. Thiederman dissects the problems surrounding diversity in the workplace and offers specific, do-able strategies focused on creating individual change. Using real-life examples, practical tips, and exercises, she guides readers on a journey of self-discovery, intellectual awareness, and healing. The workplace and personal anecdotes in Making Diversity Work have been obtained from a research survey conducted by the author. Making Diversity Work outlines:* How to see people more accurately and, therefore, to function more effectively and feel more comfortable in a diverse workplace.* Seven steps to defeat biases.* How to accurately identify biased attitudes.* Tools to help confront the fears that underlie biases.* Skills to communicate effectively when faced with diversity-related conflict.

Women or men, black or white, gay or straight, immigrant or native-born-everyone has prejudices. Making Diversity Work shifts the dialogue from blame to emphasis on the responsibility everyone shares to rid the workplace of bias. Dr. Thiederman delivers the prescription to defeat bias in the workplace in this definitive book for executives,managers, human resources professionals, and diversity practitioners.

SYNOPSIS

Thiederman, a speaker and writer on workplace diversity and bias reduction, details a step-by-step strategy for minimizing bias in a business and maximizing the ability to manage diversity effectively in this guide for executives and managers. Using real-life examples and exercises, she provides tools for identifying and defeating biased attitudes and overcoming diversity-related conflict. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly