Recent Diversity Project The Situation An East Bay company specializing in providing training for software programs recently lost a member of their senior leadership team because of "irreconcilable differences" associated with diversity related issues. The senior leader was an African American who felt that he had been excluded from the leadership team of white males due to what was described as "cultural biases" and "communication breakdowns." The Problem The African American leader was a very prominent figure who was well respected by the company's key customers. As a result of his leaving the firm, several important client groups have expressed concern over this East Bay company's ability to deliver on their promises. Trust seems to have been broken among certain constituents. There were also key employee groups within the company who were frustrated about the departure of the African American leader-siting this incident as an indication of a lack of commitment on the part of the company to create a diversified leadership team of best and brightest professionals The QPS Solution Took leaders off site and consulted with them about their business and relational goal within and without their organization. • Implemented Diversity 2000's "Discovering Common Ground" relationship building system to strengthen the plan for building high performing relationships with all members of the management staff. • Set in motion a set of agreement strategies and accountability systems intended to promote relationship building in the context of work projects and initiatives that would leverage the diversity of the company. The Result • 57 % of the clients surveyed six months after the changes occurred have reaffirmed their commitment to doing business with the company. • Employees surveyed say they have a renewed confidence in the firms commitment to expanding it's work force and leadership team with a diverse group of the best and brightest professionals available in the industry. • CEO has promoted a qualified Hispanic woman and qualified African American man to positions of senior leadership in the company.