Handbook of Workplace Diversity | Diversity Australia

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Handbook of Workplace Diversity

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In the last 20-30 years, the notion of cultural pluralism has gained popular support and offers an alternative approach to dealing with difference. Rooted in the philosophy of multiculturalism (Spivak, 1987; Taylor, 1994), pluralism requires the the dominant culture (of either states or organisations) accepts rather than absorbs cultural differences through co-existence rather than integration. In other words cultural pluralism is far more sympathetic to the notion of diversity and is aimed at developing policies and mechanisms of adjustment to difference.

Needless to say, both cultural assimilation and cultural pluralism engender different kinds of conflicts and tensions. Assimilation leads to the suppression of cultural differences and results in resentment among minority groups and unrealistic expectations of cultural integration among majority groups. Cultural pluralism, on the other hand, leads to struggles ove cultural spaces in organisations and societies. Many of the chapters in this volume will either directly or indirectly touch upon some of the issues raised here.

Additionally, as workplace diversity gains increasing visibility and legitimacy in organisational and academic worlds, it is also confronted with a whole host of new challenges, opportunities and dilemmas. The remainder of this chapter addresses some of them in greater detail.

Attribution: Konrad.A, Prasad, P. & Pringle, J. Sage publications, London, 2006. Page 4

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About The Author

Steven Asnicar

Steven leads the Diversity Australia Consulting business in Australia and New Zealand and is an active Leader in the Asia Pacific region. With a senior executive career spanning 25 years in corporate as a Director and Chief Executive, consulting and executive search specialist, Steven founded and led a successful specialist leadership development and assessment firm in Asia Pacific for 18 years prior to founding Diversity Australia.

Steven is a highly experienced Executive and Coach, working with Boards, individuals and teams at the C-Suite level. He also advises clients on leadership development, succession planning and executive assessment. As an innate entrepreneur, Steven brings an innovative, data informed approach to co-create impactful yet pragmatic client solutions.

Steven earned a Masters of International Business specialising in Human Capital Management through Bond University, a Graduate Certificate of Corporate Management through Deakin and a Bachelor of Business through UQ. He is a is a graduate of the Global Institute of Directors, a qualified RABQSA Auditor, and is a thought leader on executive diversity, equity and inclusion, with over 26,000 followers on his LinkedIn profile: https://au.linkedin.com/in/steven-asnicar.

View our key team of consultants and trainers at: https://www.diversityaustralia.com.au/our-team.

About Diversity Australia: Leading the Way in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

WE CHAMPION INCLUSION FOR ALL ORGANISATIONS: Diversity Australia is the leading national and international diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) professional services firm.

We specialise in DE&I training and consulting, including unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, psychological safety, respect at work, and cultural awareness and change.

BUILDING HIGH-PERFORMING, INCLUSIVE CULTURES: Our passion lies in developing strategies that promote cultures of inclusion and diversity. We help organisations foster a high-performing, equitable workforce that sets a new global standard for DE&I.

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUST:

Led by CEO Steven Asnicar, an experienced executive and thought leader in strategic human resources and DE&I;
Team of over 10 highly qualified consultants with advanced degrees and extensive industry experience;
Alignment with Global ISO Diversity and Inclusion Standards, Australian Inclusive Service Standards (ISS), and ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations for DE&I;
Training content researched and created by subject matter experts, benchmarked across our diverse senior team;
Positive focus on the ethical and equity-related benefits of an inclusive culture.

About Diversity Australia:
Leading the Way in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

WE CHAMPION INCLUSION FOR ALL ORGANISATIONS: Diversity Australia is the leading national and international diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) professional services firm.

We specialise in DE&I training and consulting, including unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, psychological safety, respect at work, and cultural awareness and change.

EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE YOU CAN TRUST:

● Led by CEO Steven Asnicar, an experienced executive and thought leader in strategic human resources and DE&I;
● Team of over 10 highly qualified consultants with advanced degrees and extensive industry experience;
● Alignment with Global ISO Diversity and Inclusion Standards, Australian Inclusive Service Standards (ISS), and ASX Corporate Governance Council’s Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations for DE&I;
● Training content researched and created by subject matter experts, benchmarked across our diverse senior team;
● Positive focus on the ethical and equity-related benefits of an inclusive culture.