Trainers know that adults learn best through stories.  That’s why books like Our Iceberg is Melting, John Kotter and Who Moved My Cheese?, Dr. Spencer Johnson are so popular.

In 1994, Dolly Haik-Adams Berthelot, wrote a fabulous little fable entitled, What Became of a World That was Perfectly Square.  I have used this book numerous times with my clients.  The message is still relevant today, 16 years later because a difference is a difference, and the way we initially react to things that are different hasn’t changed much.

The fable is based on a number of geometric shapes encountering each other and learning about the unlimited opportunities being together, rather than separated, can bring.   The story inspires the reader to accept change and be open to the possibilities diversity of shape and size can bring to teamwork and creativity.  The book is about 60 pages and takes about 15 minutes to read.  In those 15 minutes, without reference to people, business strategies, compliance issues, and political correctness the reader learns how powerful inclusiveness can be.  If you’re looking for a timeless fantasy fable to share the values and benefits of workplace diversity with your employees, this is one to consider.

Another corporate fable that can be very powerful when introducing diversity is A Peacock in the Land of Penguins by BJ Gallagher Hateley and Warren Schmidt.  This book is in its third edition and includes tips and strategies for peacocks who want to work with penguins and penguins that want to learn to fly.  Fun!

Dr. Roosevelt Thomas Jr. offers, Building a House for Diversity: A Fable About a Giraffe & an Elephant as another metaphor about the importance of developing the appropriate mindset and skill set to successfully understand and embrace diversity.

Using metaphors rather than real-life examples of differences allows for an open and honest conversation about the challenges and the benefits of working with differences.  It allows us to immediately neutralize any conflict points that would probably be present if the  discussion was about experiences, fears and uncertainties of people have when they encounter differences from their own individual preferences. 

As you continue to support and expand your embrace of differences, have one of these fables handy to periodically refer to.  It will help you keep your mind open and the dialogue current.