Define Diversity: An Inconvenient Truth

The word diversity is defined as follows in the Merriam Webster Dictionary:

1 : the condition of being diverse : VARIETY; especially : the inclusion of diverse people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization (Thomas & Ely, 1996, p. 80). I find that the following word better defines what we are aiming for with diversity and should be adopted or combined with it for its positive cultural and business connotations:

Synergism: A mutually advantageous conjunction where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. A dynamic state in which combined action is favored over the sum of individual component actions. (M-W, 2007)

Or better yet and new variation on Diversity:

Synergity: The union of a variety of components, individuals or agencies with varying backgrounds coming together as a whole, whose sum is greater than its parts and whose parts become greater as a result.

References
Cox, T., Jr. (2001). Creating the multicultural organization: A Strategy for capturing the
power of diversity. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Hammond , S.A. (1998). Thin book of appreciative inquiry (2nd ed.). Plano , TX : Thin
Book Publishing.

M-W. (2006). Merriam webster on-line dictionary. Retrieved from http://www.m-w.com/
on August 23, 2006.

Thomas, D. & Ely, R. (1996). Making differences matter: A new paradigm for managing
diversity. Harvard Business Review, 74(5), 79-92.

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