The dividends of diversity: the win-win-win model is taking over business and it necessitates diversity
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-03-2018-0017 |
| Date | 11 June 2018 |
| Pages | 126-130 |
| Published date | 11 June 2018 |
| Author | Donald Lee Sheppard |
| Subject Matter | HR & organizational behaviour,Employee behaviour |
The dividends of diversity: the win-win-win
model is taking over business and it
necessitates diversity
Donald Lee Sheppard
Abstract
Purpose –The purposeof this paper is to show business leaders and human resourceprofessionals that
promoting diversity within any given organization is good for business. By demonstrating the concrete
ways in which diversityis good for business, good for clients,good for customers and good for the larger
community, this paper intends to convince readers to implement diversity, and provides them with a
strongargument for doing so.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper outlines the necessary facetsof being an ethical leader
and provides an explorationof the role of diversity in ethical leadership and successfulbusiness. It also
provides various case studies, including the company theauthor created, Sheppard Associates, which
benefitedenormously from focusing on diversityin theworkplace.
Findings –Diversity is not just goodfor business, it is good for employees, clients andour society as a
whole. Diversity means promoting and rewarding employees based on merit and not based on their
gender, race,physical disabilities or any other physical attributes.To create a diverse workforce, leaders
must be open to overcome theirown unconscious bias. Leaders are key to encouragingand promoting
diversity in any organization.It is their role and responsibility to ensure that the company’sethical values
becomethe moral compass for decent behavior throughoutthe workplace.
Originality/value –This paper uniquely focuses on the idea that ‘‘leadership excellence demands
ethical business practices.’’ A leader cannot achieve the highest standards without embracing ethics
and integrity in everything he or she does. Furthermore, the primary function of leaders –business,
political, military and community –is to inspire those around them. Failure to perform this function,
especially when it comes to inspiring others to accept and celebrate differences in culture and race, is
self-defeating.
Keywords Performance, Leadership, Diversity, Engagement, Culture, Change
Paper type Viewpoint
The win-win-win model is simple and it is the futureof business (Cook, 2017). It comes
down to this: doing good in business is the same as doing good for business. This
means organizations must focus on whatis best for employees, customers and other
stakeholders to experience growth and success. Successful businesses know that ethics
cannot take a backseat to mere profits. Leadership excellence demands ethical business
practices.
American business cannot claim acceptable ethical standards as long as it tolerates
disrespect for, and discrimination against, any individuals or groups in the workplace. In
fact, in my opinion, American business will lead the world in progress and achievement not
by just tolerating diversity but by fullyembracing and promoting it.
Leaders are key to encouraging and promoting diversity in any organization. It is their role
and responsibility to ensure that the company’s ethical values become the moral compass
Donald Lee Sheppard is
CEO at the Sheppard
Properties LLC, La Canada
Flintridge, California, USA.
PAGE126 jSTRATEGIC HR REVIEW jVOL. 17 NO. 3 2018, pp. 126-130, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1475-4398 DOI10.1108/SHR-03-2018-0017
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