Module 1: Diversity in the Workplace & Centrality of Ethics to Leadership Flashcards
— learned patterns of perception, values, and behaviors, shared by a group of people, that are dynamic and heterogenous
→ ______ can constantly change overtime
Culture
→ when a person goes through a process of learning the culture
→ understanding and embracing a different culture
Enculturation
→ Trends
→ Fashion
→ Language
→ Food
10% External Culture (Tip of the Iceberg)
→ Religion
→ Behavior
→ Values (e.g. slurping in China and Japan is okay, but in USA is not)
→ Tradition
90% Internal Culture (Bottom of the Iceberg)
— purpose: to call down God’s blessing and protection upon us, our homes, and possessions, especially through the intercession of St. Benedict
— becomes a silent prayer and reminder to us of our dignity as followers of Christ
— from Catholic culture
Saint Benedict Medal
— _______ in Greek culture is a curse thought to be given by a malicious glare that can cause bad luck or loss
— the evil eye wards off the curse and protect yourself throughout the day
The Mati or Evil Eye
— an ornamental plant but also has a spiritual usage
— Ifugaos consider the plant sacred and have it planted around their terraces to drive away evil spirits away and to ensure that their rice terraces to drive away evil spirits and to ensure that their harvest will be bountiful
— the leaves of the plant are also used to conduct rituals
Tungkod Pari
→ a death dance ritual by the Ifagaos using the leaves of Tungkod Pari
Bangibang
1) Values
2) Attitudes and Preferences
The Key Dimensions of Culture
— represents a person’s judgments about what is good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable, important or unimportant, and normal or abnormal
— must be ethical
The Key Dimensions of Culture: Values
— developed based on values, and are similar to opinions, except that attitudes are often unconsciously held and may not have a rational basis
The Key Dimensions of Culture: Attitudes and Preferences
1) Culture is Learned
2) Culture is Shared
3) Culture is Based on Symbols
4) Culture is Integrated
5) Culture is Dynamic
5 Characteristics of Culture
— it is NOT biological; not inherited
— learning culture is much unconscious
— people learn culture from families, peers, institutions, and media
— enculturation → process of learning culture
— while all humans have basic biological needs such as food, sleep, and sex, the way we fulfill those needs varies cross-culturally
5 Characteristics of Culture: Culture is Learned
— because we share culture with other members of our group, we are able to act in socially appropriate ways as well as predict how others will act
— despite the shared nature of culture, that doesn’t mean that culture is homogenous
5 Characteristics of Culture: Culture is Shared
— symbol
→ something that stands for something else
→ vary cross-culturally and are arbitrary; only have meaning when people in a culture agree on their use
→ language (most important), money and art are all symbols; language is the most important symbolic component of culture
— examples:
— USA → eagle (signifying freedom, power)
— China → dragon, yin yang
— Christian Community → Crucifix
5 Characteristics of Culture: Culture is Based on Symbols
— culture is integrated; known as holism, or the various parts of culture being interconnected
— holistic → being part of a whole; interconnected
— all aspects of a culture are related to one another and to truly understand a culture, one must learn about all of its parts, not only a few
5 Characteristics of Culture: Culture is Integrated
— cultures interact and constantly change
— because most cultures are in contact with other cultures, they exchange ideas and symbols
— all cultures change, otherwise, they would have problems adapting to changing environments
— because cultures are integrated, if one component in the system
5 Characteristics of Culture: Culture is Dynamic
— Variety of Different Perspectives
— Increased Creativity
— Higher Innovation
— Faster Problem-Solving
— Better Decision Making
— Increased Profits
— Higher Employee Engagement
— Reduced Employee Turnover
— Better Company Reputation
— Improved Hiring Results
Importance of Diversity in Business
1) Employees should be happy
2) Better workplace
3) Social relevance → how the company relates to the community as a whole
3 Pillars of Marriott Hotels
→ awarded as the only most diverse hotel chain
→ “take care program” = employees’ first
Marriott Hotel
— diversity in the workplace allows an environment of employees with diverse characteristics and backgrounds that would bring a variety of:
→ interpersonal and work skills → creativity and innovativeness → worthy experiences
Workplace Diversity Benefits
- Benefit #1: Variety of different perspectives
- Benefit #2: Higher Innovation
- Benefit #3: Faster Problem Solving
- Benefit #4: Increased Profits
- Benefit #5: Reduced employee turnover
5 Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace
— since diversity in the workplace means that employees will have different characteristics and backgrounds, they are also more likely to have a variety of different skills and experiences
Benefit #1: Variety of different perspectives
— In a diverse workplace, employees are exposed to multiple perspectives and worldviews
— When these various perspectives combine, they often come together in novel ways, opening doors to innovation
Benefit #2: Higher Innovation
— Employees from diverse backgrounds have different experiences and views, which is why they are able to bring diverse solutions to the table
— Thus, the best solution can be chosen sooner, which leads to faster problem-solving.
Benefit #3: Faster Problem Solving
— Companies with a diverse workforce make better decisions faster, which gives them a serious advantage over their
competitors
Benefit #4: Increased Profits
— Diversity and inclusion in the workplace cause all employees to feel accepted and valued that leads them to be happier in their workplace
Benefit #5: Reduced employee turnover
— Ethics → from the Greek word “Ethos”; synonymous to conduct, customs, or character
— defined by values and morals an individual or society considers as desirable or appropriate
— ethics dwells on the righteousness of individuals and their motives
— honesty, transparency
The Centrality of Ethics to Leadership
→ awarded as a company with high ethical standards
→ buys 3% of the coffee in the whole world; make sure that they store coffee ethically
→ use CAFEP (Company and Farmers Equitable Partnership)
— partnership with farmers and share equity with them
— shared profit with the farmers
Example of an Ethical Company: Starbucks
- transparency, quality, social responsibility, environmental leadership
- employees are referred to as “partners”
Heart of Starbucks
“With every cup, with every conversation, with every community—we nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection.”
Mission of Starbucks
— consider what is at stake or at risk for more of the parties affected by the decision
→ take note if it would benefit the majority of the people
— appeal to ideals that are shared by others, regardless of age, culture or personal preference, not narrow sectarian principles or idiosyncratic beliefs
→ not pertaining to the individual
→ it must be benefiting the whole, not the individual
— be unbiased, refusing to favor some at the expense of others
→ fairness must be observed and applied to everyone
Making Right Ethical Choices
— People: “We are a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be.”
→ example:
- customer service of Starbucks
- Patagonia
— encourages customers to buy less and just purchase what they need; leads to being more environmental-friendly
— #1 ethical company in the entire world
Example of an Ethical Workplace Based on a Value
- Employees feel genuinely cared for and respected
- example: Marriott’s “Take Care” movement
- Employees, regardless of rank or role, put the work at hand and the interests of others above themselves
- Leaders live by clear standards and self-transcending principles when
conducting the organization’s business, modeling a drive for excellence both in what they do and in how they do it - Employees feel empowered and energized to reach for ethical and technical excellence in serving customers, clients and each other
- Employees feel empowered and energized to reach for ethical and technical excellence in serving customers, clients and each other.
Hallmarks of an Ethical Workplace
1) What We See: Artifacts and Behavior (Top)
2) What They Say: Norms and Values (Middle)
3) What They Deeply Believe in and Act On: Underlying Assumptions (Bottom)
Scheins Culture Triangle
— what a newcomer, visitor or consultant would notice (e.g. dress, organization charts, physical layout, degree and formality, logos, and mission statement
Scheins Culture Triangle: What We See—Artifacts and Behavior (Top)
— what we would be told is the reason things are the way they are and should be
— e.g. company philosophy, norms, goals, and justifications
— mission-vision of companies
Scheins Culture Triangle: What They Say—Norms and Values (Middle)
— unconscious, taken-for-granted beliefs about the organization and its work/purpose, about people, rewards, etc.
— whatever problems you have can be solved by assumptions
— higher-ups should be able to observe what their people are really doing
— higher-ups should also serve as a role models to their subordinates
— “do what you preach” / “walk the talk”
Scheins Culture Triangle: What They Deeply Believe in and Act On—Underlying Assumptions (Bottom)
