Diversityfour Layers of Diversity Overview

DiversityFour Layers of Diversity Overview

Within most organizational settings, there is an array of aspects and dynamics that contribute to the functioning and success of the business at hand. One key component pertains to aspects surrounding diversification. According to the text Organizational Behavior, “Diversity represents the multitude of individual differences and similarities that exist among people….the host of individual differences that make all of us unique and different from others,” (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2009, pg. 126).

In a sense, diversity within business is a crucial characteristic successful manager, leaders, and staff in general should both recognize and respect completely. Ideally, diversification pertaining to cultural differences should not be an issue of concern; however, this is simply not always the case. Lee Gardenswartz and Anita Rowe, a team of diversity experts, identified and created four layers of diversity to explain and distinguish the ways in which people are different. Accordingly, “Taken together, these layers define your personal identity and influence how each of us sees the world,” (Kinicki & Kreitner, 2009, pg. 125).

The Four Layers of Diversity Model gives a vivid depiction of diversification and concepts that in some form or another influence both organizational and individual interpretations of one another. According to Gardenswartz Rowe, “The combined patterns of diversity dimensions form a filter through which we see the world as well as a screen through which others view each of us,” (Gardenswartz & Rowe, 1998, pg. 24). The following is a similar depiction of Gardenswartz and Rowe’s diversification model. Each layer is categorized including organizational, external, and internal dimension levels, with example of facilitating factors.

Four Layer of Diversity Model

Organizational Dimensions |

Management level/status | | Occupation | Job requirements |

| External Dimensions | |...