Diversity Consciousness

Eric Dininger
February 2nd, 2016
Brandman University

Diversity comes in all forms. Whether two people are from different countries or grew
up in the same town, with the same friends there is still diversity everywhere you look. Growing
up in rural Ohio, I was unaware of this concept. Everyone looked, dressed, acted and talked
alike. It wasnt until I joined the Air Force that I started to understand diversity. Diversity has so
many different levels that it is hard to encompass it all into one phrase without being vague.
Bucher defined diversity as being "a state of unlikeness" or "the condition of being different.
Diversity also refers to all the ways in which people are different. This includes individuals,
groups, and cultural differences. (Bucher, p.5) While I agree with this definition, I also think
that it doesnt grasp the whole concept. Diversity is usually associated with race, ethnicity,
nationalityetc. but most people miss the idea that it can be as simple as what toppings you
prefer on your pizza. So, as I continue to understand diversity more and more, I have realized
that rural Ohio was diverse, just not in the traditional sense. We were all individuals with subtle
differences that werent easy to recognize visually. My idea of diversity is understanding every
little thing about a person that makes them different from the next down to the smallest detail.
First you must understand your own diversity, your barriers to understanding others and your
plan to become as diversity conscious as you can be.
Bucher identifies speaking, solving problems, taking initiative, relating to others and
teamwork as skills that are essential to success at work. (Bucher, p. 43) I believe I am very strong
in problem solving and taking initiative. I have excelled in most things in my life by using these
2 skills because my dad instilled this in me at an early age. I can still remember the advice he
gave me at my first job, do as much as you can without having to be asked and ask for help only
after you have tried your best. Relating to others and teamwork are both skills I think I am
good at. I always try to put myself in other people shoes to see how they would feel about a

situation. Speaking is the hardest of the diversity skills for me to develop. Active and engaged
listening is very easy for me but when I need to convey information, I am very poor unless I am
prepared for it. In my opinion, interpersonal communication is the most essential of the 5 skills
that Bucher describes. Buchers research agrees, In a study of financial professionals, chief
financial officers (CFOs) were asked, Would you be willing to hire someone with fewer
technical skills if the candidate had stronger soft skills, such as communication and interpersonal
abilities? More than half (53%) of the national sample of 1,400 CFOs responded yes. (Bucher,
p. 45). If strengthened, it would definitely improve my ability to move up in a company because
as your responsibilities increase, your ability to convey instructions and ideas becomes much
more important.
One barrier to diversity that I have experienced is ethnocentrism, "Ethnocentrism refers
to the assumption that our way of thinking and acting is naturally superior to any other." (Bucher,
p. 66) I believe I was ethnocentric when I joined the Air Force. Once again, growing up in rural
Ohio there was only one ethnicity. We were all white and our world revolved mostly around
farming. Bucher explained my situation and ethnocentrism very well, We become narrowminded and lose sight of opportunities in realms outside of our own. We impair our ability to
relate to others. Most importantly, we fail to learn and benefit from the collective wisdom and
experiences of all people. (Bucher, p. 68) It was a huge step for me to join the Air Force,
where my opinion wasnt the vast majority. I had to learn to accept differences and find a way to
work through them, not against them. The technique I usually use is by taking a different
perspective or placing myself in someone elses shoes. When I am dedicated to using this
solution, it elevates my diversity consciousness and make me a better communicator and leader.

After assessing my weaknesses and strengths, I can really see what I need to do to
become more diversity conscious. First, I need to be more engaging and interpersonal. The best
way to do that is to put myself out there more. Meaning, talk and socialize more, especially in
uncomfortable environments. Most of the time in class I dont like to share my views because I
am not the best at verbalizing what I am thinking. I would like to force myself to give my
opinion at least twice a class for the rest of the trimester. As I already explained, I need to be less
ethnocentric. Assuming my views are the same as everyone else is a terrible assumption to
make. My second goal is to take myself out of every situation and change my perspective.
Diversity in its simplest from is just the word, difference. If you are not aware that
there are differences in everyone then you will lack diversity consciousness. In the sensitive
nature of todays society, this could be a huge weakness. You need it for speaking, solving
problems, taking initiative, relating to others and teamwork. Barriers, such as ethnocentrism, are
huge obstacles to overcome and can be very difficult avoid, but if you recognize them then you
can then assess your own needs. Develop and employ a plan and you, too, can become diversity
conscious.

Works Cited
Bucher, R. D., (2015). Diversity consciousness: Opening our minds to people, cultures, and
opportunities. Pearson/Prentice Hall