Background Note | HBS Case Collection | 2009 (Revised from original 2008 version)

Differences at Work: The Leadership Challenge

by Sandra J. Sucher

Abstract

This note reviews research findings on the leadership challenges of diversity, including the social psychology of similarity and difference, the value of multiple perspectives to problem-solving, the relationship between diversity and firm performance, and management paradigms for diversity.

Keywords: Diversity Characteristics; Ethics; Leadership; Organizational Culture; Behavior; Prejudice and Bias;

Citation:

Sucher, Sandra J. "Differences at Work: The Leadership Challenge." Harvard Business School Background Note 609-056, February 2009. (Revised from original November 2008 version.)