Managing Diversity

After careful examination of all aspects of the facility, and talking with some of the neighborhood residents, you have determined that the residents do not feel comfortable coming to the facility because the staff does not represent the diversity of the neighborhood. Staff members were hired for their skill, but their diversity was not considered. Now, you must report to executive leadership what you have learned and how you intend to manage diversity.

Note: Remember, you can submit all or a portion of your draft to Smarthinking for feedback before you submit the final version of your proposal for this assessment. However, be mindful of the turnaround time for receiving feedback if you plan on using this free service.

Report Requirements

Write an executive report on the need for a diverse, culturally competent staff, including your plans to address that need.

Note: The requirements outlined below correspond to the grading criteria in the Managing Diversity scoring guide. At a minimum, be sure to address each point. In addition, you are encouraged to review the performance level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed. You are provided an example report, to illustrate what proficient-level work for this assessment looks like.

Report Format and APA Style

· Use the Executive Report Template, linked in the Resources, to draft your report. You may also organize the content of your report in a format used in your organization. An abstract is not required.

· Your report should be 4–5 double-spaced pages in length, not including the title page and reference page.

· Apply correct APA formatting to all in-text citations and references.

· Use Times New Roman, 12-point font.

Writing

As you begin composing your report, consider the purpose of the report, the appropriate tone and style, and the expectations of the executive leaders who will be reading it.

· Be clear and concise in your reporting.

· Express your main points, arguments, and conclusions coherently.

· Use correct grammar and mechanics.

· Be sure to support your claims and arguments with credible evidence from 3–5 current, scholarly or professional sources.

· Proofread your writing.

Report Content

· Outline a plan to recruit, hire, and retain a more diverse workforce. Note: Your outline should be a high-level overview of a plan, not a detailed plan. Other courses in your program will go into human resource practices and diversity in depth. In drafting your plan, consider the following questions:

. How does a leader develop a diverse workforce?

. Where will you look for more diverse employees? Will you post job ads?

. What will the interviewing and hiring process look like? Who will do the interviewing? Who will make the final decisions?

. What kind of incentives will you offer diverse employees to retain them? What do you need to know about the culture and values of diverse employees before developing a retention plan?

. How will you address issues related to diversity that result in conflict?

· Outline a plan for the ongoing training and professional development of existing staff in cultural awareness and sensitivity. Consider how your plan can:

. Improve communications and interpersonal skills.

. Help overcome bias and resistance to change.

· Explain the benefits, to both the organization and the community it serves, of having a diverse and culturally competent workforce.

. Explain the relationship between health care organizations and communities.

. Explain the role that diversity plays in providing culturally competent care and access for the under-served in a community.

· Determine the influence of effective leadership on the development of a diverse and culturally competent workforce.

. Explain the importance of cultural competence for leaders in an organization.

· Explain how the academic and research skills you develop as a practitioner-scholar can serve you in your role as an effective health care leader.

. Explain how those skills might contribute to your credibility and effectiveness as a leader.

. Explain how those skills might prepare you to lead a diverse workforce.

Questions to Consider

As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, a family member, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.

· How well does the workforce within your organization reflect the diversity of the community?

· Are the needs of the community well served by the organization?

· Have you ever observed or experienced situations of prejudice or bias by a coworker? How did you respond to the situation?

Suggested Resources