ack to the issue of best business practices and the bottom line, we need to emphasize the value and benefits of work force diversity (Wheeler, 1997, p. 493).A good starting point for valuing diversity is to view everyone as different from us, and to view them as people about whom we cant make assumptions. Possibly the most important principle for valuing diversity is The Platinum Rule. This is an expansion of the Golden Rule (Rasmussen, 1996, p. 188). The Golden Rule is a time-honored practice that is a foundation of many religious disciplines. It was designed to prevent us from doing harm to others things which others obviously would not like. With the increasing complexity of our society, we now need to extend the Golden Rule because it does not account for peoples different and unique needs. We cannot assume that others want to be treated exactly the way we do. In making this assumption we perpetuate the values and beliefs of the dominant culture. The Platinum Rule gives other permission to be different from us and reminds us to honor that difference. The Platinum Rule is Treat others as they want to be treated (Rasmussen, 1996, p. 188). Using the Platinum Rule makes it okay for us to have differences. The Platinum Rule transcends the approach of affirmative action. Although well intentioned, affirmative action focused on creating a special process for certain people, which was unnatural and forced. This approach created a backlash, because traditional employees felt they would be overlooked just so a quota could be filled. It created an us versus them mentality, which is productive for no one (Rasmussen, 1996, p. 178).The Platinum Rule recognizes and values all differences, but doesnt require that people be assimilated into the dominant culture. It allows for the individual mosaic of people. A tool in the truest sense of the word is the technology we have available today. Technology is the great equalizer. Technol...
