Chapter 13 Assignment: Social Diversity in the Workplace

You are one of four co-founders of a new start-up company producing a new line of meal-replacement drinks. You and your co-founders have had two promising years of producing and selling your product, and now you’re looking to expand the team and grow the business.

One of the things you’re most looking forward to with expanding the company is increasing the diversity of the team. You began the company with some friends who had similar interests who have hired like-minded friends, making the company feel very homogeneous. As you’ve grown as a company, you’re started to worry about the product becoming too niche without the input of other points of view. In casual conversation, another co-founder brought up the idea that the like-mindedness of the team is essential for the company’s continued success. You refuted the idea and mentioned the importance of having diverse opinions, but you didn’t feel like you had enough information or data to make your point credible at the time.

Your task as a leader is to effectively communicate the importance of social diversity in the workplace to the whole company. You may choose one of the following methods to inform the team about the planned company expansion by emphasizing the importance of hiring diverse employees. For this assignment, you can choose one of the three methods:

  • Write an email to be sent to the full company.
  • Create a presentation to show first to your co-founders, then to the rest of the company.
  • Create an informal report showing the positive impact of social diversity in other companies.

In your short rationale (no more than 150 words) explain why you chose the method you did.

Please note: There is no “correct” way to present this message; it will depend on which method you think would be best for your colleagues.

Grading Rubric

Criteria Not Evident Developing Exemplary Points
Discuss the plan to expand the team 0 pts

No presentation completed

5 pts

Expansion is not discussed

10 pts

Expansion is discussed

10 pts
Discuss the importance of social diversity 0 pts

No presentation completed

10 pts

Discussion shows a lack of understanding of diversity

20 pts

Discussion shows an understanding of diversity and respect of individuals with different qualities and abilities

20 pts
Provide support for the benefits of social diversity 0 pts

No slide deck submitted

5 pts

No support is provided

10 pts

Support is provided

10 pts
Provide a short rationale 0 pts

No response to peers

5 pts

Rationale does not meet required words criteria

10 pts

Rationale is under 150 words

10 pts
Total: 50 pts