Learning Outcomes Portfolio

Running head: RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY 1

Running head: RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY 4

Reflection Journal

Week 3 “Respect for Diversity”

Nicole Jensen

Grantham University

How does Respect for Diversity connect with the course material this week?

Respect for diversity relates to the composure of various qualities and elements (BLANTON, 2012). This week’s course material addresses issues which impact diversity. Working as a team is essential as work environments consists of diverse groups, working together in achieving a common goal or solving challenges. Therefore, promoting respect for diversity in race, gender and/or beliefs.

Additionally, this week's material covers creating cultural connections as well as the importance of it and the necessary steps in creating cultural connections.

How did Respect for Diversity help you with your research this week?

Week 3 course material focuses on the importance of breaking cultural barriers. Respect for diversity has strengthened my ability to approach anyone of a different ethnicity, race, religion and/or gender without concern. I believe my research relating to this week’s material has been motivated having understood the importance of respecting diversity.

One specific aspect of Respect for Diversity I need to still develop and how I plan to work on developing that aspect.

I believe there’s room for me to develop a better understanding in gender-neutral for groups which originally were gender-specific. It’s a personal challenge to adapt to these changes, even if I understand the concept behind it, I don’t agree that these are necessary changes. Now that I am directly involved in such a change, as my son is now a cub scout and gender-neutrality has been integrated into the scouts, I find myself motivated to better understand the concept and soon I hope to find a level of acceptance to this change.

How does Respect for Diversity connect to achieving my career goals?

In administration and management, as well as any other business we most likely always work with a diverse group of people. Therefore, we should learn to respect various diversities as to adjust to many environments. In a personally aspect, Respect for Diversity has shaped me to accept and work diverse groups of people. Knowing and understanding the importance of diversity aids in realizing project goals.

What Respect for Diversity means to me

My interpretation of Respect for Diversity is the ability to embrace all races, religions, genders, cultures, as well as ethnic communities. Therefore, making it easier to achieve a common goal and negating possible obstacles these differences might have caused if I hadn’t embraced them.

Specific project relating to Respect for Diversity

I wouldn’t just pin point my experience to one project or assignment, as I believe all discussion posts enabled me to develop Respect for Diversity. What’s interesting here is that everyone posting here is diverse in gender, culture, and sexual orientation as well as social and economic background. This level of diversity coupled with the need to achieve the common goal of helping each other better understand course materials, empowers us to work together in meeting course requirements. This has strengthened my acceptance to diversity which aids in my Respect for Diversity.

One question you have about your organization, your research project, or this course in general.

As I will most likely be working in leadership positions, I’m interested in how you would advise a student or employee having difficulty working with groups of varying backgrounds, based on your experience teaching Respect for Diversity?

References

BLANTON, C. (2012). Respecting Diversity: What does this mean?. [Online] Daughters of Eve. Available at: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/daughtersofeve/2012/03/respecting-diversity-what-does-this-mean/ [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].

Bolkus, N. (2012). Political Aspects of Diversity - Social Justice in a Changing Australia. [Online] Australian Government- Department of Social Services. Available at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00313830601078993 [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].