How can I apply the feedback from my self assessment improve my leadership skills?

• What are some ways I can contribute to diversity and inclusion in my work and community?

RANGE BASED FEEDBACK:

40-50 pts.

Feedback:Your score out of a possible 50 point total indicates you understand the importance of valuing diversity and exhibit behaviors that support your appreciation of diversity.

Here are five behaviors that those who appreciate and value diversity tend to exhibit.

1. Get to know individuals for who they are and thus avoid the tendency to classify them according to some "group" you put them into. Categorizing people and responding to them according to what you perceive the characteristics of that group to be is usually nothing more than a way to avoid taking the time to get to know the person for who he or she really is.

Question from the assessment associated with this behavior:

Do you make a conscious effort not to think stereotypically (stereotyping example: that person's blonde; therefore, she must be dumb)?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

2. Listen attentively to what others have to say without assuming you either (a) already know what they are going to say and/or (b) already disagree with what they are saying.

Questions from the assessment associated with this behavior:

Do you listen with interest to the ideas of people who don't think like you do?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

Do you respect other people's opinions, even when you disagree?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

Do you believe your way is not the only way?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

3. Broaden your horizons by going outside your comfort zone to experience new settings. The broader base or your experience, the more types of people you will be able to relate to. Here are some suggestions to help you "broaden your horizons":

Be alert to and take advantage of opportunities to talk to and get to know people from other races and ethnic groups. You can find them in your neighborhood, in your classes, at your fitness center, at a concert or sporting eventjust about anywhere you go. Take the initiative to strike up a conversation and show a genuine interest in getting to know the other person.

Select a culture you're interested in and immerse yourself in that culture. Read novels, look at art, take courses, see plays.

College students often have unique opportunities to travel inexpensively to other countriesfor example, as a member of a performing arts group, a humanitarian mission group, or as part of a college course studying abroad. Actively seek out travel opportunities that will expose you to as many cultures as possible during your college education.

Study a foreign language.

Expand your taste buds. The next time you're going to go to a restaurant, instead of choosing that old familiar favorite, use the Yellow Pages to find a restaurant that serves ethnic food you've never tried before.

Many large metropolitan cities sponsor ethnic festivals, particularly in the summertime, where you can go and take in the sights and sounds of other cultures. Take advantage of these opportunities to have a fun time learning about cultures that are different from yours.

Questions from the assessment associated with this behavior:

Do you spend time with individuals who are different from you with regard to age, race, gender, cultural background , physical ability, economic status, education, etc.?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

Do you adapt well to change and new situations?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

Do you enjoy traveling, seeing new places, eating different foods, and experiencing other cultures?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

4. Be considerate of others' feelings. Before you speak, take a moment to consider both what you will say and how you will say it in the context of how you anticipate the receiver will respond. Individuals who prefer directness in their interactions with others can unintentionally be the cause of hurt feelings in their more sensitive peers.

Question from the assessment associated with this behavior:

Do you try not to offend or hurt others?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

5. When communicating with those from cultures different from yours, take the extra time necessary to confirm the accuracy of your understanding of what they have said, as well as the accuracy of their understanding of what you have said. The best way to accomplish this is by inviting, using, and giving feedback regularly throughout your conversation. In addition, avoid using slang expressions (hang in there), idioms (once in a blue moon), acronyms (ASAP for as soon as possible), and jargon (bottom line).

Questions from the assessment associated with this behavior:

Do you allow extra time to communicate with someone whose first language is not yours?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

Do you consider the effect of cultural differences on the messages you send and adjust them accordingly?

Best ranking to indicate valuing of diversity: Regularly

The concept of "diversity in the workplace" goes well beyond what you have assessed about yourself in this exercise. Diversity has several dimensions, which are illustrated nicely in what Xerox Corporation describes as its Diversity Hierarchy outlined below:

Creating Diversity--The most basic need is representation, or creating a workplace in which people of different conative/cognitive thinking, gender, race, age, cultural background, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical ability work together.

Managing Diversity--The management practice around Diversity. Are we retaining our people and treating them fairly regardless of gender, race, age, cultural background, and sexual orientation and physical ability?

Valuing Diversity--The work environment where Diversity and varying perspectives are genuinely valued.

Leveraging Diversity--Diversity is critical to the business strategy . . . to strengthen and grow the business through a diverse customer base.

The work environment is integral to Diversity. A productive work environment values all ways of thinking, cultural differences, and new perspectives. When we value Diversity and a heterogeneous employee population, we strengthen the work environment. And the stronger the work environment, the more opportunity we have to leverage Diversity to grow the business.(2)