America has long been called a "melting pot" because of all the diverse people and cultures that exist in its borders.  A melting pot is used to put many things togther and when mixed the result is one consistent mixture.  Therefore, America is not a melting pot but more like a salad bowl. There are many different things in the bowl, all of which are recognizable and bring a different flavor to each bite of the salad.

Likewise Corporate America is a microcosm of the same salad bowl.  In order for companies to be successful they must leverage the individual perspectives and strengths of a diverse workforce.  Forcing a culture where everyone must speak, act, and think the same way is detrimental for the long-term health of the business.  If you harness the individual talents of employees you risk missing critical opportunties for innovation and growth.

Who owns this salad bowl effect? We do. The workforce. Particularly working mothers. We must not be afraid to bring the unique and intuitive skills we have as mother's to the office.  The ability to negotiate, organize, and strategize that we use with our children on a daily basis is valuable to corporate employers. In raising children who are 10 years apart, I have developed a talent of finding shared values and motivations among groups or individuals that otherwise, have little in common. Hence, my career as a multi-functional leader and general manager has been a success.  Mommy skills!

My unique perspective as a woman, the way I listen and process differently than the men around me, has been very beneficial in the boardroom. While the men in the room are often fighting to get their points heard and trying to win an argument, I listen to everything happening in the room (a skill most mothers have perfected) and form a solution that works. My ideas are often accepted because I have managed to incorporate many of the good things from each individual argument. We win in our own way. We win like women. If I were to resort to the tactics that are dominate in the room by "acting like a man" then I would not be operating to my full potential as working woman.   

Diversity in our workplace really depends on the courage of the workers to bring their uniqueness to the office.  As women, we lead the way. When we are seen as brining our feminine prowess to our careers, others can feel comfortable in brining cultural prowess to the workplace. We are not a homogenous fondue of melted cheeses. We are lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots all bringing unique flavor to the work experience.