A System's Thinking Approach to Workplace Diversity (2nd Edition): Workplace diversity is no longer a competitive advantage. It is required in order to compete in an ever complex world of service and produce offerings. Using a system's thinking approach, workplace diversity can help companies to provide industry leadership and pave the way for inclusion, engagement, and business agility. An ongoing commitment to corporate engagement and iterative learning is crucial.

Supporting workplace diversity is also no longer considered sufficient to compete in today's business environment. Past efforts to support workplace diversity often failed to achieve the goals of inclusion that were necessary to integrate the wisdom, experience, and competencies available. A new and more inclusive approach is still needed.

Inclusion is just the first step. This is why a system's thinking approach is needed; the entire system needs to be involved in leveraging the assets, competencies, and tools that drive excellence throughout the corporate structure.

The evolution of the modern models of management recognizes that business is changing, the evolution of current humanitarian values requires the rethinking of supervision methods, and the trends of employment require different strategies in order to retain the talent that is essential to the company's competitive edge.

One of these challenges includes how to develop a competitive edge within an increasingly complex climate. Current trends reflect shorter periods of employment, increased specialization of skills are necessary for competition, and employers having to work that much harder to recruit as well as retain the talent that already exists.

A systems thinking approach to workplace diversity: A workbook - provides tools, templates, and free PowerPoint presentations that can be used to support workplace diversity.

Three PowerPoint Presentations available for download:

Addendum: Supporting Inclusive & Diverse Workplace Communities: Manager's PPT Presentation (link for download)

Addendum: Diversity Awareness Workshop: Employee PPT Presentation (link for download).

Addendum: Emotional Intelligence: Leading with Sensitivity - Employee PPT Presentation (link for download)

Author: Travis Barker, MPA GCPM
About the Author: Travis Barker lives in Vancouver, BC and is the founder of Innovate Vancouver, a business consulting and technology firm.

With over 20 years of experience in the public, social, and healthcare sectors, Innovate Vancouver brings a wealth of experience and insight into project design, strategic planning, business culture, and the tools to support creativity and innovation.

Travis Barker completed his bachelor's degree in psychology, master's degree in public administration, post graduate certificate in project management, and pursued a doctorate in organizational leadership (left to found a startup).

Travis Barker can be reached at consulting@innovatevancouver.org or online at http: //innovatevancouver.org