The Diversity ManagerThe Diversity Manager

Phil Jackson– Sacred Journey

– Creating a culture to support a dream

– Triangle Offense

– Focus on requirements

– Tolerance of diversity tension

Phil Jackson as Phil Jackson as Diversity ManagerDiversity Manager

His goal:– “to blend individual talent with a

heightened group consciousness”

– Selflessness

– Connectedness

– Needed a strategy and a compelling metaphor to implement

Phil Jackson as Phil Jackson as Diversity ManagerDiversity Manager

His Strategy:

– THE TRIANGLE OFFENSE

– Simultaneously emphasizes cooperation and individual freedom

– Maximizing team and individual goals with max. individual perf.

Phil Jackson as Phil Jackson as Diversity ManagerDiversity Manager

His Metaphor:– THE SACRED JOURNEY– Lakota Warrior spirituality and life perspective

Everything, including enemies, were sacred All of life is interconnected Tribal unity, not individual competition

– Lakota symbols were used to create a conducive environment

Phil Jackson as Phil Jackson as Diversity ManagerDiversity Manager

Mental discipline: Another key ingredient– Zen Buddhism

– Mindfulness, meditation

– Uncluttered minds to allow maximum awareness and participation in the moment

Phil Jackson as Phil Jackson as Diversity ManagerDiversity Manager

How does he define diversity?– Talent, level of development,

seniority, celebrity status, personalities, levels of motivation, etc.

Phil Jackson as Phil Jackson as Diversity ManagerDiversity Manager

His Culture Assumptions/Values:1. With mental discipline, we can achieve

commitment and satisfaction, and we can win.

2. If we play as a team, we can win.

3. If we play with compassion, we can win.

4. If we play with selfless spirit, we can win.

5. If we play in the moment, we can win.

Phil Jackson as Phil Jackson as Diversity ManagerDiversity Manager

What were Jackson’s critical skills?– Focus– Tolerance of diversity tension– Persistence--staying the course in spite of

conflict– Calm – Faith

Phil Jackson as Diversity Manager:Phil Jackson as Diversity Manager:Lessons to LearnLessons to Learn

Clarity is important. Shared meanings and purpose are

important. Respect, trust, and empathy are more

important than interpersonal harmony. Differences must be approached in context.

Phil Jackson as Diversity Manager:Phil Jackson as Diversity Manager:Lessons to LearnLessons to Learn

Focus on the moment. Individual contributors and managers alike

must be effective at addressing diversity. Diversity of all kinds is challenging.