Posted on 10/17/2009 1:28:41 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
With overall unemployment now at 9.8 percent and the African American unemployment rate tipping the scales at a whopping 15.4 percent, it would be a tempting but fatal mistake for corporate America to take its eye off the ball when it comes to increasing diversity within its leadership ranks. In fact, I suggest that business take a lesson from the way the NFL has used the "Rooney Rule" in recent years to improve its historically abysmal record of hiring African American head coaches. The Rooney rule, in place since 2003 and named for Pittsburgh Steelers owner and NFL diversity workforce committee chairman Dan Rooney, requires that any NFL team with a head coaching vacancy must interview at least one minority candidate for the job or face a fine. I believe it's time for corporate America to consider a similar approach to improve both quality and diversity in its CEO and upper management ranks. Since the NFL's adoption of the Rooney Rule for the 2003 season, the number of African American head coaches has jumped from two in 2002 to six today. Two Black head coaches -- Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin -- have won Super Bowl championships. And many of these coaches credit the Rooney rule for opening a long-shut door of opportunity. It is also clear that for several of their teams the rule has had a positive effect on team performance. It has allowed highly qualified head coaching prospects who would never have had the opportunity, the chance to make their teams better.
The overall numbers are still low. African Americans comprise about 70 percent of NFL players, while the percentage of Black coaches now stands at about 20 percent. But, the Rooney Rule has meant progress and it has been so well received by team owners that in June the NFL extended it to the hiring of General Managers and other high level front office positions.
Corporate America could well reap similar benefits by following the Rooney rule model. Black Enterprise Magazine lists just nine African American CEO's in its 2009 listing of the 100 Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America. The magazine also publishes an annual list of the top 40 companies in America for workforce diversity. But, by any measure, Black CEO's and other African American top executives are still a rarity at most Fortune 500 companies.
The fact is, many major companies profess a commitment to diversity, but beyond hiring one or two top-level minorities or women, they have no real measurable mechanisms in place for creating a healthy pipeline of minority candidates for hirings and promotions. This is the case, despite the fact that research shows diversity positively affects the bottom line. It not only increases a company's skill base, it also helps to expand and diversify its consumer market. I say it's time for corporate America to give the Rooney Rule a try. Major public companies can start by making a commitment to interview at least one minority candidate for every CEO and Vice President opening. If pro football can do it, big business can too.
The skin pigment you mean is called melanin, not melatonin.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, inside the skull, and influencing our sleep rhythm.
Melanin is responsible for skin pigmentation.
Regards,
The best example of the Rooney Rule is the current occupants of the White House.
I’m a very old ret. guy so I’m not sure just what you mean. my brain is dead I guess!!
At 3:00 A.M., I was lucky to get in the right neighborhood.
I’ll tell you what is really really really racist racism…
when placement in society is by the color of one’s skin and the sham of affirmative action; not qualifications and character. Was not this the argument that Dr. King made and now we see clearly the outcome of how diversity/multicultural philosophy are really intended to be used...as a kafkaesque tool; and it is not American!
Two Black head coaches -- Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin -- have won Super Bowl championships. And many of these coaches credit the Rooney rule for opening a long-shut door of opportunity.
The implication being the racist notion that no black man could ever be a head coach based on qualifications alone. Or the equally racist implication that neither of these teams would have won if they didn't have a coach with the proper skin color.
The Urban League is only a black racist organization similar to the NAACP and only promotes issues that will give more to blacks.
In the late 1980s, I had to accompany my wife to an Urban League meeting one evening at a large Dallas hotel for what was essentially just a cocktail party/mixer. She was the local personnel manager for an international corporation and was required to be there to make contacts for possible recruitment to satisfy the affirmative action dictates.
There were probably about 300 black businessmen and wives or dates, with only about 10 of us whites there. We were treated like something on the bottom of someone’s shoe after stepping in dog poo. It was a highly racist group and everyone was gabbing about how they and their people were “owed” higher positions in business. ...Sounded like the same crap that J Jackson and Al Sharpton are always spewing. .....The Urban League is totally racist.
They need Black coaches. The Players are all Black.
Tony Dungy, an absolute gentleman in my opinion, was a head coach long before the Rooney Rule. As was Art Shell. They did it on merit. Why was the rule needed and why would any such “rule” in the corporate world work?
Marc Morial is the ex-mayor of New Orleans. He’s just another race pimp - Jesse Jackson lite.
Sounds like a Commitment to Racism....
Instead of a Affirmative Action program, blacks should concentrate on getting educated, stop fathering illegitimate kids, and stay out of jail. By reducing numbers in these areas, employment figures will increase
Okay but then the NAACP needs to be forced by law or bylaw to interview at least one white candidate for their chairmanship.
And the democrats must be forced to run white candidates in a least 2 or 3 80%+ black districts.
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