Cultural Competence for Public Managers

Chapter 5

Experiences from Successful Multicultural and Diversity Programs

Diversity without unity makes about as much sense as dishing up flour, sugar, water, eggs, shortening, and baking powder on a plate and calling it a cake.

C. William Pollard

5.1 Introduction

There are many successful multicultural and diversity-training programs in both the private and public sectors. The elements that make multicultural and diversity-training programs successful can enlighten managers in their efforts to create more culturally competent organizations. It is helpful for managers to understand the perspectives of multicultural employees. Multicultural and female employees frequently experience the workplace environment in different ways than do ...