Views on Diversity: Training and Development

My Views on Diversity

By:

Sabre Mendoza, Training and Development, Rasmussen College

My Views on Diversity – Questionnaire

1. Everyone should learn about cultural differences. (1)

2. Cultural diversity is a valuable resource and should be preserved. (3)

3. Trainers should plan activities that meet the diverse needs of trainees from different cultural backgrounds. (3)

4. I am comfortable around students or coworkers whose cultural heritage is different from my own. (3)

5. Cultural diversity is a positive force in the development of modern society. (1)

6. Every culture has something positive to contribute to modern society. (3)

7. Each person should feel pride in his or her own heritage. (1)

8. I enjoy being around people who are different from me (3)

Diversity in the workplace has gone from being the exception to being the rule. As time marches on, society becomes more and more of a melting pot of different individuals from different cultures. Thanks to the “Baby Boomers” we also have a lot more of the population in the workforce working beyond the ‘normal’ retirement age – so we see older workers.

I have had issues with older employees who got upset when I was promoted to a position above them. It was not that they wanted the position, but the age gap was difficult for them to take and accept me as their supervisor. No one doubted my hard work, work ethics or ability to get the job done; it was all about the age difference. This was overcome simply by proving myself and still showing them respect. I completely believe in respecting ones’ elders and that does not change, regardless of who is or is not on my direct staff. Simple respect for another human being goes a long way in repairing any damage done by the age difference.

Today’s workplace is almost forced to be diverse. The diversity stretches beyond skin color to working directly with people from other countries and cultures. The...