Some people still see Diversity as another word for equal opportunities, and there is still a tendency to look at specific groups - women, minority ethnic groups, disabled. Diversity concerns everyone.


"Managing diversity is a comprehensive managerial process for developing an environment that works for all employees"

R. Roosevelt Thomas, author Beyond Race and Gender


There is still a critical need for equal opportunities work in many organisations but this approach will not necessarily enable the individual to see any of these areas as to do with how they are. We focus on the concept of difference which includes all differences, and we look at every individual's responsibility in relation to Diversity. It is an inclusive approach as opposed to an exclusive one; and it is a strategic approach as opposed to an operational one.

We help individuals to look at how they see the world and whether their lenses, as it were, need changing. It assumes that the start point for change is within themselves. So we don't try to get them to change their attitudes, but we do challenge them to move out of their comfort zones and see that if they are uncomfortable with someone it is probably more to do with themselves than it is to do with the person they are uncomfortable with. The key learning messages are that:

• everyone has a right to their own personal value system
• we do not have a right to impose our value system on others so that we treat them badly, resulting in their performance being less effective at work
• the organisation must make clear what the value system of the organisation is and be able to define 'unacceptable' and 'champion' behaviours related to it

Key differences between equal opportunities and diversity

Equal Opportunities driven by legislation piecemeal initiatives assimilation into existing culture removing barriers focus on improving numbers makes assumptions about certain groups Diversity driven by business need holistic strategy inclusion in open culture nurturing potential focus on improving workplace environment no assumptions - no judgements