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Abstract: A reference to the term, the glass ceiling, has come to embody more than gender equality among women and men. Today the term embraces the quest of all minorities and their journey towards equality in the workplace. The nose of this article is to bring attention to the subject of diversity, culture, he glass ceiling. The article will discuss the history of the glass ceiling and how its broadened meaning is relevant in today's workplace. It will also provide statistics showing how diversity and culture are lacking among the top echelon of today's executives, the barriers faced by minorities as they journey towards executive leadership, and how to overcome these barriers to truly shatter the glass ceiling.
Key Words: Diversity, Culture, Glass Ceiling
The diversity and cultures that flourish to today's society gives credence to the long held belief that the United States is a "melting pot" of ethnic cultures. The diversity of these cultures abounds in families; communities; and private and public organizations, and benefits our society with cultural awareness and engagement; decreased stereotyping and lower levels of ethnocentrism; and higher levels of community service (Distelhorst, 2007).
In a perfect world the issues of diversity and culture would not hinder anyone's goal of becoming an executive leader. However, diversity and culture continue to be challenging issues within the executive ranks of corporate America. Although the United States has been witness to major advances in diversity and cultural awareness and acceptance, the board rooms of corporate America continue to lack culturally diverse individuals whose hiring will prove the glass ceiling has once and for all been shattered.
The purpose of this article is to define diversity and culture and to discuss the phenomenon of the glass ceiling, its history, whether it is a reality or myth, its broadened meaning, and how it is relevant in today's corporations. Statistics will show how diversity and culture continue to be lacking at the top levels of executive leadership roles of corporate America. In order to improve these statistics, the author will offer discussion on the barriers to success that minorities face, and will provide strategies for individual success as wells as strategies for managing diversity and culture within an organization. Finally, the author will offer suggestions...