Diversity at EDS Enhances Innovation, Creativity
26 Jul 2006
A multifaceted work force enhances EDS’ worldwide competitiveness. Through this diversity, the leading technology services company is building the inclusive culture needed to sustain profitable growth.
That inclusiveness reflects EDS’ global markets, clients and suppliers. A New York executive coach’s presentation for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and a multicultural celebration in Michigan are examples of recent company initiatives.
Jane Hyun, author of “Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: The Essential Guide to Getting In, Moving Up and Reaching the Top,” explored the concept of cultural fluency in a program organized by the Asian Pacific American Community at EDS (APACE). It is one of seven EDS employee network groups.
Jane Hyun, author and executive coach, at APACE presentation
Humility and respect for authority, among values associated with traditional Asian culture, can provide good grounding for leadership roles when leveraged with the appropriate training in speaking and management skills, Hyun said.
“If you have a team of people that’s diverse with different genders and ethnicities, as well as different perspectives, it may take a lot longer to get there, but you’re going to have creativity, innovation and out-of-the-box thinking that you would never have otherwise,” said Hyun, a former executive at J.P. Morgan and Deloitte & Touche.
Building an Inclusive Culture
Kim Stevenson, vice president of EDS Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) Service Delivery, said that diversity is crucial to the company’s growth strategy because it attracts talent and experience from many countries and cultures.
“Their skills contribute to our overall ability to succeed and return EDS to a market leadership position,” said Stevenson, who introduced Hyun.
Other EDS diversity efforts include engineering and science recruitment, internships and educational programs.
Hyun’s presentation at the company’s Plano, Texas, headquarters was broadcast to the worldwide EDS team.
Tai chi student Martine Salane and her teacher, Han Hoong Wang, during Michigan multicultural event.
Sensitivity to cultural values and differences is important, Hyun said, because isolation and being “the only one in the room” will be experienced by all at some point in their careers. For professionals to be effective in today’s increasingly multicultural workplace, they must acquire the skills required for cultural fluency.
Cultural fluency helps people find “blind spots” in themselves and others, fostering a forgiving environment. They can avoid misinterpreting behavior and creating stereotypes.
Importance of Cultural Fluency
Hyun illustrated the importance of being culturally fluent through a slide with the left side showing a duck above a hammer and nails. They reflected Asian sayings that “the loudest duck gets shot” and “the nail that sticks up gets beaten down.”
On the right side, a set of gears and a man with a bullhorn reflected familiar American sayings: “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” and “you have to toot your own horn.”
Asian calligraphy and painting in the EDS Centre cafeteria during heritage month.
Promotions and advancements, where demonstrating leadership competencies are important, can be uphill battles for candidates from cultures that discourage the appearance of undermining bosses’ authority. Other perceived behavioral traits for Asian Americans to overcome, Hyun said, include being reserved and unemotional.
But she said both traits can be assets. Good listeners support inclusive work environments.
Hyun described the “three Ps” of creating an inclusive workplace and encouraging career development as attending public events, identifying accomplishments for organizations through personal value propositions and “pre-wiring” meetings in order to handle challenges and opposition in public settings.
The author encouraged EDSers to take personal risks, develop new skills and participate in cross-racial mentoring relationships. Achieving cultural fluency requires leaving comfort zones, she said.
Dr. Jun Zhang, APACE chairwoman, said the network group represents employees in a culturally diverse region spanning seven time zones and 11 currencies.
“We work together toward the EDS global business strategy, providing excellent service for our clients while leveraging our members’ professional skills and cultural backgrounds,” said Zhang, a work force analytics consultant in Global Work Force Management.
A second annual multicultural event, “A Celebration of People,” at the Auburn Hills, Mich., Service Management Center (SMC) spanned cultures and geographies from Africa and Asia to Spain and beyond.
Passports handed out to many of the 500 participants contained short messages and facts about countries and cultures. They were “validated” with colorful stickers at each of the 37 country- and culture-specific exhibits. At each table, employees learned about a different culture along with its values, history, holidays and other details.
Entertainment included African drumming and Middle Eastern and Indian dancing as well as demonstrations of karate, tai chi and yoga. A variety of foods were available, including Chinese, Indian, Italian and Mexican.
The celebration grew out of a brainstorming session several years ago on how to better recognize contributions of a diverse work force and become more inclusive. Employees were already celebrating numerous events on EDS’ diversity calendar, but wanted to do more. An area college that earlier organized a multicultural fair provided impetus for the first EDS celebration for all cultures for Michigan.
Roy Christmon (left) with Grady Searcy, Cynthia Spencer, Kim Stevenson and Gary Lange at multicultural event
In the EDS culture exemplified by the event, employees are empowered to achieve their full potential and help the company deliver business solutions more profitably.
“This celebration of people showcases the many dimensions to our inclusive environment and conveys a clear message that EDS values and respects the backgrounds and experiences of all our employees,” said Grady Searcy, vice president of Global Work Force Engagement.