Diversity Leadership Forum

At the Diversity Leadership Forum, I was asked the following question:

Do you think a new generation of people leading diversity? Do you think Gen Y leaders would approach these topics differently?

According to Wikipedia, Generation Y is approximately a third of the US population currently. In passing, I heard that a fifth of Generation Y in the US is foreign-born. On issues of interracial dating and homosexuality, they are more liberal than previous generations. Their size, ethnic background, and opinions on diversity are greater and more open than previous generations in the US. For Generation Y, difference is cool. Uniqueness is the centerpiece of identity.

Here is what I speculate how they would approach these topics differently:

1. I don’t see them participating in diversity or affinity groups – infact the conversation will happen in a conference named – “global conference”.

2. I believe they will not be adding people from different backgrounds to promote an inclusive environment infact they will be adding people with unique experiences to cover the world of experiences.

3. Finally, I believe their leaders will be more tolerant to women in the workforce – especially around the time they decide to raise their families. For them, virtual teams is the way people work – and so if a woman is virtual after her delivery – they would not make a big deal about it.