Diversity Training - Some People Say Diversity Training Doesn't Work. (Jason Greer)

https://www.greerconsultinginc.com/ Hi my name is Jason Greer, a motivational speaker who specializes in equality and diversity training, soft skills training and motivational speeches. Some time ago Bill O’Reilly of the O’Reilly Factor did an interview in which he essentially stated that Diversity Training Doesn’t Work. There are numerous articles by Time Magazine, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Psychology Today amid other media outlets saying the exact same thing. You want my take? They’re right. Diversity training and diversity management as we know it today doesn’t work. Here’s why…too many diversity courses are geared toward teaching “sensitivity” over the course of 3 to 8 hours. My question is “sensitivity to what?” I’ve had the opportunity to sit in on numerous training sessions in which the diversity presenter lays out the fact that we are all different and we need to discover some way to get along. Then the focus shifts to the trainees who happen to be white, usually white males. The white males are made to feel like they (or their ancestors) are totally responsible for all of the atrocities that ethnic minorities, women and homosexuals have encountered throughout the ages. How exactly are you teaching sensitivity and really encouraging people to embrace diversity if you are singling out a particular group of people and ultimately saying “This diversity thing applies to everyone except you. Keep being racist, sexist and everything else because I don’t expect more from you.” That’s not diversity…it’s just another form of discrimination. A true understanding of diversity management goes well beyond social descriptors such as skin color, gender and sexual orientation. When we ask the question “What does diversity mean?” the answer, at least to me, is Diversity is about our family history, genetic socialization, our experiences and stories, which ultimately shape the way we look at the world and each other. This is the approach that I use in my diversity training. I don’t have much patience for the victim mentality. I only focus on the results. So, if you’re looking for someone who is going to stand in front of the room and make people feel bad for all the things that have happened in this world, then go find someone else. I’m not your guy. But if you’re looking for someone who can provide your team with the tools, resources and experiences necessary to create highly functioning teams then give me a call.