Introduction: A Holistic Approach to Examining Workforce Inter-Personnel Diversity

Abstract

A holistic approach to examining workforce inter-personnel diversity is needed as organizations seek to improve their productivity. Each employee provides value to the organization and that value should be recognized and rewarded. One concern with workforce inter-personnel diversity is that some individuals think that it is just another way to (re)package the construct of “skill set diversity” among and between employees within the same position. However, skill set diversity is typically aligned with a specific skill set. When I refer to workforce inter-personnel diversity, I am looking beyond just the skills necessary to perform the specific tasks of the position. I am also referring to location in and of the position. I am referring to the ability to transition beyond the minimum skill set required to maintain the position. Some employees have the minimum skill set and can maintain that level of performance, but as the position is escalated to require additional skills, the employee may not have the capacity to be further developed for that particular position any more. I am also looking at how that person would self-develop if their position were to be eliminated for a new type of position within the organization or replaced by technology.