Chapter 10: Diversity, Inclusion, and Followership

The Jamson Manufacturing Company is a privately held family-owned business in the Midwestern United States. For the past 30 years, it has been manufacturing wiring harnesses for the aviation industry. Jamson is a medium-sized firm with deep roots in the community. The population of the town that it serves is a diverse mix of Caucasians, Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. Its main plant is located near a large Indian Reserve with a population that is slightly larger than the town itself. While relationships amongst these groups are generally good, each community tends to socialize separately.

The senior leadership team of Jamson Manufacturing is exclusively white and male. The Vice President (VP) of Operations is the brother-in-law of the CEO, the VP of Finance is the son-in-law of the CEO, and the VP of Marketing is the daughter of the CEO. Additionally, the Director of Human Resources (HR), who has accountability for all of Jamson’s HR functions and reports directly to the CEO, is married to the VP of Operations. These vested leaders have differing levels of education, all are experienced in their respective areas of responsibility, and the company has been profitable for most of its existence. Other than relatives of Jamson’s owners, upper and middle management of Jamson (i.e., VPs and Directors) are also mostly white and male.