An organization is much more productive and effective if there are diverse opinions views and ideas in the organization, because an organization that creates an inclusive culture that values and respects and also make good use of the talents of its employee’s yields results. This essay is designed to explain how effective and important diversity is an organization it would also provide a general definition from different authors about the meaning of diversity and the benefits of diversity internally and externally. It would critically analyse the challenges of managing a diverse organization.
Definition of diversity.
Diversity looks at the differences that shape people’s thinking and behaviour. Diversity is defined as representing a multitude of individual differences and similarities that exist among people. It can consist of many human characteristics such as race, age, creed, religion, ethnicity, and Gender and class level. Wellner(2000)this simply means that diversity stands and speaks for us as human beings, it differentiates us as individuals either by race, age, gender, ethnicity, religion or class. Similarly Gardenswatz and Rowe(1994) described diversity as being like an onion possessing layers that once peeled away reveals the core. According to him the four layers are: organization dimensions, external dimensions, internal dimensions, and personality.
This observation is interesting because diversity stands and speaks for the way we as individuals differentiate ourselves from one person to another through our gender, ethnicity, race, class level, religion, because of our personal experiences. For example a woman and a man’s gender actually determine how they think. Gender is referred to the biological characteristics and differences between a man and a woman. A woman and a man’s gender determine how they think and how they are perceived in the society. This portrays how they