Tenets of Diversity in Nonprofit Organizational Management

Chapter 9 of your text, Developing Nonprofit and Human Service Leaders discusses the need to expand the definition diversity from only recognizing observable phenotypical differences to less visible differences like affiliations or orientations. What does diversity mean to you?

Nonprofit human service organizations emphasize diversity inclusion and sensitivity when dealing with their client populations but often neglect to be inclusive and sensitive to the diversity of their own workforce. The authors of Developing Nonprofit and Human Service Leaders suggest that “diversity should be one of the guiding principles of a nonprofit organization.”

Why is it so important to enhance diversity in human service organizations?
In what ways can leaders unwittingly oppress employees who have been historically discriminated against?

To succeed in managing a workforce that is increasingly diverse, human service leaders will need to strive for cultural proficiency and acknowledge individual and group identity differences and similarities among populations in the United States.

What are some things managers and leaders in the workplace should know?
What do you see as solutions to decrease barriers to accepting workplace diversity?
How can leaders and managers assist employees in overcoming and reducing preconceived thoughts about those outside of the dominant group?
How can evaluating an organization’s values be helpful in regard to becoming a culturally sensitive and inclusive workplace?