The idea for this book came to Martin Davidson during a disarmingly honest conversation with a CEO he worked with. ''Look,'' the executive said, clearly troubled. ''I know we can get a diverse group of people around the table. But so what? What difference does it really make to getting bottom-line results?''
Answering the ''so what?'' led Davidson to explore more deeply how companies typically manage diversity. He saw there were serious problems. Companies weren't effectively building diversity into their larger business strategy. Also, the emphasis on common differences like gender, age, race, and sexual orientation was inter- fering with the ability to identify less obvious differences that have more impact on a business. And traditional diversity efforts were often hindering the professional development of the very people they were designed to help.
In his book, Davidson explains how what he calls Leveraging DifferenceTM turns persistent diversity problems into solutions that drive business results.
Difference becomes a powerful source of sustainable competitive advantage instead of a distracting mandate handed down from HR.
To leverage difference, Davidson argues, leaders must tackle three challenges. First, they must identify and hire for the differences most important to achieving organizational goals, even if the differences aren't the obvious ones. Second, leaders must help employees work together to understand the ways these differences matter to the business. And finally, leaders must roll up their sleeves and experiment with how to use these relevant differences to get things done.
Davidson provides several examples of how organizations leverage subtle differences like culture, thought, and personality as well as more noticeable differences like race and gender.
Ultimately this is a leadership book, not a diversity book. Actively leveraging difference, rather than reactively managing diversity, can be what distinguishes an ordinary organization from an extraordinary one.
"This is a
results book. It provides a practical guide for committed leaders interested in achieving optimal results through the efforts of people. It is also a handbook for leaders who aspire to do the 'right things right and at the right time.'"
--Charlie W. Hill, Executive Vice President of Human Resources (retired), Landmark Communications, Inc.
"In plain English, Martin Davidson explains how diversity can make a company more efficient and innovative, which leads to greater profits. This book artfully blends psychology, social issues, and good business sense to provide baggage-free, 21st-century solutions to problems. Read it before your competitors do."
--Reginald Hudlin, producer/director and former President, Black Entertainment Television, Inc.
"Martin Davidson reminds us that diversity is not about others; rather, it is about us and our willingness to push ourselves to the edge of personal discomfort in order to run productive, sustainable institutions; create communities of harmony; and live fuller, happier lives."
--Subha V. Barry, Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President, Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, Freddie Mac
"Martin Davidson hit the nail on the head! This extensively researched book moves the diversity paradigm from the human resource cubicle to the whole organization, the tactical to the strategic, the short term to the sustainable, and the domestic to the global. A must-read for every business leader."
--Dr. Austin Ifedirah, President and CEO, Aegis Healthcare Holdings, Inc.
"This is a tactical book for business leaders who know they have to shift their thinking but have never quite understood how (and truthfully, why) to do it. Every CEO who looks at his or her company's diversity initiative and wonders why it hasn't made as much progress should read this book."
--Todd G. Sears, Principal, Coda Leadership Consulting LLC, and former Americas Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Credit Suisse
"Professor Davidson takes us on an enlightening journey that raises the bar for any business executive seeking to improve productivity. Leveraging difference is a critical tool for those that are result and not process oriented when deploying talent."
--Mark Settles, Managing Director, JPMorgan Chase & Co. "Martin Davidson has developed a transformative insight: that a key to building innovative companies is to replace well-intentioned but generally ineffective 'managing diversity' programs with Leveraging Difference initiatives. I would highly recommend this book to any CEO, manager, or HR professional who wants to build a sustainable, high-performance organization."
--Decker Anstrom, US Ambassador, World Radiocommunication Conference, US Department of State; former President, Landmark Communications; and former Chair, The Weather Channel Companies
"This book presents a realistic look at the diversity challenge and proposes pragmatic ways to achieve meaningful change along with useful tools for the journey. I wish that I had read this before I became CEO."
--Steve Reinemund, Dean of Business, Wake Forest University School of Business, and retired Chair and CEO, PepsiCo
"Martin Davidson brings a fresh and compelling look at why our three-decades-long investment in 'managing diversity' has come up short. He then offers a new paradigm for guiding our efforts to make diversity a resource for organizational and individual development and performance. Based on extensive research,
The End of Diversity as We Know It offers new insights and tools that will help leaders ensure their companies and organizations get the benefits of the diversity within them."
--James Lowry, Senior Advisor, The Boston Consulting Group
