What could an elephant and a giraffe teach people about working together? Some very important lessons, it seems, about the complex--and critically important--issues of dealing with diversity in the workforce Building a House for Diversity begins with a short fable about how a friendship between the two animals is threatened when the house built ожйех for a tall, skinny giraffe cannot accommodate his invited guest, a broad, bulky elephant Using this story as a vivid metaphor for the difficult issues inherent in diversity, the book goes on to demonstrate how managing diversity can be seen as a set of skills that anyone can learn--and use In a way that makes diversity management "up close and personal," Building a House for Diversity offers compelling, real-life stories of individual experiences at work It includes: * the perspective of both "insiders" (usually white males) and "outsiders" (usually minorities or women) * insightful commentary illuminating what these experiences tell us about thechallenges and opportunities of diversity * a particularly interesting segment on Phil Jackson, legendary Chicago Bulls coach, and how he dealt with diversity issues in his relationships to Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Scottie Pippin, and others * hands-on guidance to help readers become "diversity mature" and take personal responsibility for their attitudes and actions Throughout, the book reflects the seminal thinking of R Roosevelt Thomas, Jr , a pioneer in articulating the concepts of managing diversity In this book, he has produced his most creative and practical approach to this continuing challenge.  viscoseISBN 0814404634.