Diversity Consulting
Diversity staff provide a variety of consulting services in order to further the mission of The Diversity Commitment at the City of San Diego. Citywide services include the design and implementation of organization change initiatives, strategic planning related to diversity and inclusion, policy development and coordination, data collection, research, diagnosis and recommendations related to systemic organizational problems in the management of a diverse workforce, and citywide program design and implementation. In addition, departments can request assistance with diversity related department-wide issues and get help with the facilitation of diversity related problems or concerns within divisions or work groups. Specific issues addressed include inclusive leadership and cultural competence internally and externally, strategies to foster a respectful work environment, supervisory techniques for working with a diverse workforce, and constructive conflict resolution and/or mediation.
Training
Diversity University
Diversity University, The Diversity Commitment's signature training, is offered in a series of classes, meeting once a week over a period of time. Classes are facilitated by City staff and are held at City facilities.
Topics covered in Diversity University include:
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency
- Listening for Understanding
- Sources of Each Individual's Identity
- Prejudice: How It Works, What It Looks Like, and Where We Learned It
- Intent and Effect
- Social Oppression and Institutionalized Discrimination
- Resolving Conflicts Respectfully
- Culturally-Influenced Communication Style Differences
- Responding to Hurtful Comments
- The Added-Value that Differences Bring to the Workplace
At the end of each day of Diversity University, participants are asked to fill out an evaluation form that rates the effectiveness of the session, as well as their own learning, on a four-point scale, with "one" representing strongly disagree and "four" representing strongly agree. On the final day, participants are asked to rate their own learning and the effectiveness of the training and as a whole. A recent examination of fully completed Diversity University sessions (Late Spring 2007, Early Fall 2007, Early Winter 2007, Winter 2008) found that the overall rating for the course was 3.60 (out of 4).
Participants noted that "the education about the different ethnic groups and the ordeals each culture goes through gave me a sense of understanding people better," and indicated they were "very glad to have a forum where it was okay AND safe to openly discuss uncomfortable topics."
Inclusive Leadership Academy
Held in late 2007 and early 2008, the two-day Inclusive Leadership Academy for management staff served to support City leaders in developing the knowledge, skills, and awareness necessary to lead and sustain the City's commitment to diversity. The executive-level workshop provided tools and tips to help leaders effectively manage situations involving institutional prejudice, privilege and the complexities of building trust across cultures, and taught managers to maximize similarities and differences in order to create high performing teams that deliver quality services to the San Diego community.
Participants completed an evaluation form at the end of each of the two days, rating the effectiveness of the training and their own learning on a four-point scale, with "one" representing strongly disagree and "four" representing strongly agree. The overall average rating for Day One of the sessions was 3.47, and the overall average rating for Day Two was 3.33 (out of 4).
Participants gained greater individual awareness, greater commitment to being an inclusive leader, increased knowledge of/ability to apply cultural competency tools, and an appreciation for the City's commitment to diversity.
Diversity University Co–Facilitator Training Program
All sessions of Diversity University are conducted by City staff. A partnership between The Diversity Commitment and other City departments has created the opportunity for non-Diversity staff to become professionally trained Diversity University Co-Facilitators. Employees who are selected for this program receive training, guidance and feedback in order to develop the needed expertise, and work a few days per year with Diversity staff to co-facilitate Diversity University. In addition, Diversity University Co-Facilitators work individually and as a group to continually sharpen their skills and stay abreast of significant diversity issues that affect the City's workforce.
