Leadership in a Diverse Workplace

Abstract Although there is a significant need to understand the implications of increasing demographic diversity for leadership, surprisingly little research has been conducted on the topic. In this chapter, we review the extant research in this area. We organize our review into three sections: how leaders lead themselves, others, and the organization. In the first section, we discuss issues related to social identity, and how leaders’ social identities interact with those of their employees in influencing what may be required for effective leadership. In the second section, we discuss the qualities that leaders are likely to need when managing employees from diverse backgrounds. We focus on developing quality relationships, cultivating an inclusive climate, spanning boundaries, and framing of diversity initiatives. In the last section, we discuss research related to the role leaders play in setting their organization’s diversity strategy, implementing diversity practices, managing conflict, responding to diversity crises, and measuring progress. We end with suggestions for future research.