Diversity and Teamwork Training Aimed at Young Adults in Michigan Program prepares students for transition to college and workplace By Steve Kaspan Groups of students gather together to develop skills. Positive Diversity, LLC is a firm with a mission to lead people to discover the positive in others and build skill working in teams. It is fully devoted to celebrating diversity and building bridges between people. We are guided by the belief that progress is best achieved with a strong focus on our positive potential. Positive Diversity, LLC today unveiled Exploring Teamwork Essentials©, a training program that educates young adults about the importance of developing team skills, the attributes of high-performing teams, and the role of understanding and appreciating diversity in a team setting. Aimed at high school and college students, the program also engages participants in small groups to develop skill in listening and suspending judgment on the perspectives of others. "Rapidly changing workplaces, driven by technological innovation, and increasing diversity in the U.S. call for new skills," states Positive Diversity Founder Scott Boone. "Research shows that companies seek employees with applied skills in teamwork and diversity. Successful teams establish trust between members, which depends on respecting differences in the individual capabilities, styles and preferences of team members," adds Boone. ______________________________ Research shows that companies seek employees with applied skills in teamwork and diversity. ______________________________ Aware of the trend toward team-based work, college professors and progressive high schools are requiring students to complete team projects with greater frequency. Additionally, college administrators are responding to the connection between inclusion and college performance by adding diversity programs. "This program provides young adults with the basic building blocks for working well in a team," explains Boone. "It's also very effective at creating positive, meaningful connections between students." The three-step program employs written material, the award-winning documentary ONE: The Movie, and structured small group discussion to challenge and empower students. “By design, the facilitator's role is very small so the program can be broadly and easily implemented,” states Boone. “No institution can afford to commit several highly trained facilitators for extra-curricular programming. The program would be a snap for a high school teacher, residence hall advisor or college instructor to lead.” Prior to public launch, Henry Ford Community College humanities instructor William Secrest adopted the program. “Exploring Teamwork Essentials is a very tight program. My students' ratings were off the charts,” offers Secrest. “Beyond building team skills, ONE highlights a way toward a more harmonious world. I look forward to using the program again next semester.” For more information, see www.positivediversity.com. Contact: Steve Kaspan / 248-348-9312 steve@positivediversity.com Go to Urban Mozaik Magazine This website: Copyright © 2009 Dream World Media, LLC. / Urban Mozaik Magazine. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed in Urban Mozaik Magazine are not necessarily those of Urban Mozaik Magazine and the publisher cannot be held responsible for them. This website/publication, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.