Workplace Diversity Hindered By Failure To Communicate, Study Says

Workplace Diversity Hindered By Failure To Communicate, Study Says: Workplace diversity continues to elude many white male managers, according to a new survey by the Greatheart Leader Labs in Seattle. But the reason why diversity stalls isn't as black-and-white as you may think, the report says.

In a survey of roughly 700 managers at eight major companies, including Alcoa, Bank of America, Intel, Exelon, Marsh & McLennan Companies, PepsiCo, Wal-Mart Stores and PWC, participants were asked to anonymously rate the diversity effectiveness among white male leaders in their companies. 45 percent of white men gave a positive rating, while only 21 percent of women and people of color agreed. According to the survey results, wide gaps were also found in the perception of white men's abilities to coach and improve the performance of diverse employees (33 points difference); build strong, diverse teams (36 points); promote diverse talent on merit (36 points); and include diverse voices in decision making (40 points.)

And though respect proved to be consistent across the board, the gaps in diversity stemmed from one issue, study authors concluded -- a failure to communicate.