REVIEW: James T. McKim Jr. — The Diversity Factor (BOOK)
“Thesis: Diversity is about more than just race or gender. It is really about equitable inclusion of diverse people so that they feel they belong, bringing their authentic selves to work.
Ask people what the term ‘diversity’ means, and you will likely hear many different answers,” writes James T. McKim Jr. in his new book, The Diversity Factor: Igniting Superior Organizational Performance. “…I encourage you to think about this in terms of the world and your own organization. In some cases, there are barriers that are being put up in front of people that are actually costing us all.
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/jtmckim
The costs of equipment and/or the people who have to maintain those barriers.” As the quotes and passages would suggest, the book is an exploration, articulation of, and literary change agent to what Mr. McKim sees and describes as a systematic necessity to add equity to the modern day workplace. He doesn’t mince words, but never comes across as visceral. Rather, the facts’ damning implications in and of themselves do that for him — hitting multiple birds with one stone. McKim is clearly passionate about what he speaks about. He relentlessly rakes the reader’s intellect across the coals, but in a manner never feeling counterproductive or vindictive. Rather, this is all in the name of looking forward — not backward. Forward to an era when there can be true recognition of an organizational model’s need for a distinct, diverse employee base.
The two, as far as Mr. McKim is concerned, ultimately branch from the same nexus point in today’s corporate vista. “My thesis is that diverse organizations that are inclusive and equitable perform better than their peers in many respects. As organizational performance pioneer Edward E. Hubbard says, ‘Simply put, utilizing diversity as a strategic asset keeps an organization’s competitive edge sharp for the long haul.’ Organizations are more innovative, sustainable, relevant, and have greater financial viability,” he writes. “…Utilizing a workforce sustainability perspective, the World Economic Forum describes a “Millennial Quotient.”
By the year 2025, 75% of the global workforce will be made up of millennials — which means this group will occupy the majority of leadership roles over the coming decade. They will be responsible for making important decisions that affect workplace cultures and people’s lives. This group has a unique perspective on diversity. While older generations tend to view diversity through the lenses of race, demographics, equality and representation, millennials see diversity as a melding of varying experiences, different backgrounds, and individual perspectives. They view the ideal workplace as a supportive environment that gives space to varying perspectives on a given issue.”
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Diversity-Factor-Organizational-Performance-Discovering-ebook/dp/B09TS55M47
McKim’s penchant for being able to come at you personally, while at the same time providing an objective lens regarding the statistics, is part of the book’s craft. Multiple chapters provide charts, spreadsheets, and questions addressed specifically to you — the reader. It’s an effective dodging of what could be narratively oxymoronic. It never feels like breaking the fourth wall. Rather, it’s all packed into the same basket — no part or particular aspect contributing to the book’s impact being dampened. After all, as McKim demonstrates time and again, the next generation of change leaders begins with the individual. That would be you.
Colin Jordan
