Beyond Race and Gender

Chapter 4

Cultural Change: An Action Plan

Most corporate cultures were established when the vast majority of workers were white and male. Today’s employees are more and more diverse. It’s managerially prudent to ask if the culture that served you well in the past can serve you equally well in the present and the future.

But what if it doesn’t? Suppose that question has been asked, and answered. Suppose that an astute observation of your business environment suggests that change is needed. Suppose, too, that a change agent has come forward and has begun to prepare the ground, using the ideas discussed in the last chapter. What next?

Sometimes executives who are introduced to a new idea decide it is the solution to all their problems and send their ...