Customer Reviews

White Men, Women & Minorities in the Changing Work Force

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This book is published by the company that employs the author. The author pitches the "diversity training" that his company sells. It is a glossy advertising pamphlet. Do you want to ask the encyclopedia salesman if you need an encyclopedia?

Dr. Ipsaro, a double P.h. D. in Psychology and Administration, identifies a new and innovative way to change the productivity of a diverse workforce - including the white male. In a detailed and logical way, Ipsaro illuminates the history and role of white men, women and minorities in society and the work place. Ipsaro argues that many old world behaviors of the white male are still present today in businesses and society- mainly that they are still resource providers, directors and protectors. In essence, this means that they are still the ruling class and behaving by the standards of yester year. According to Ipsaro, the world has changed and most white males have not evolved into the new world. In order for diversity to be actively engaged in business, argues Ipsaro, the white male must become involved and lead the change. For instance, Ipsaro uses the Motorola Company as an example of a company that has empowered women and minorities. As a result, the company has promoted a substantial amount (more than 50 %) of women and minorities into senior leadership and management positions. The innovative change in diversity has positively impacted the morale and production of the company. With inclusion, as evidenced by Motorola, companies will be better served in diversity initiatives, and ultimately more successful businesses. Ipsaro concludes with a call for white males to become the driving force for leveraging diversity programs and incentives in the workplace.

SOME OF THE KEY THEMES OF THE BOOK INCLUDE:

* Inclusion of the white male is essential for positively changing the diversity of the workforce: Ipsaro notes that many white males are in senior management, and although many of these executives have planned and implemented diversity programs, few have included themselves in these programs. Ipsaro notes that old world values are obsolete in the world today, and white males must share leadership with women and minorities. This, in his words, would "relieve some of the burden" white males feel about leading a workforce. According to Ipsaro, this would allow more time for white males to balance personal and professional life and lead to a more diverse and productive work force.

* A fusion between organizational, unit, and self integrity is essential in developing a diverse workforce: Ipsaro notes that "trust is what holds a family, a group, an organization, a country together." Although everyone is different, argues Ipsaro, it is essential to find common bonds that unite a group in the pursuit of a common goal. Ipsaro notes training, group discussions, and an environment that encourages open dialogue as vehicles to increase self, unit, and organizational awareness of diversity in the workplace. Things such as empowering employees, matching talents to tasks, sharing and promoting a blending of cultures are keys to successful fusion in the workplace. This takes time and hard work.

Dr. Ipsaro is an expert is his field with many years of research and advisement on an international and national level in both the private and public sector. His concept that white males fail to include themselves in diversity movements is very relevant in the workplace today. Although White Men, Women and Minorities was published in 1997, it is still a legitimate reading in 2006 - as it touches on the issue of white males as diversity change agents in the workplace

This book was an ok read. I didn't have interest to finish the entire book...so it may have improved towards the middle to the end.