Diversity Award Criteria | nominate an organization

Coro’s MLK Diversity Award is bestowed upon an organization which is considered to have consciously and creatively implemented a workplace culture which values, actively invites and embraces difference within the organization. 

The main objective of the organization’s diversity development is the unleashing of each person’s potential so that there is a positive impact on the organization’s bottom line.

The winning organization has compiled a business case for diversity, not one simply based on emotion and rhetoric.

The organization’s diversity program has a serious commitment from the organization’s leadership and has allocated resources in support of the diversity program.

It’s diversity program focuses on all aspects of team performance improvement, not merely on prejudice reduction.

The organization is committed to the principle that a multicultural organization and team performance improvement is a long-term process that calls for considerable commitment from the entire organization and significant systemic changes.

The organization not only recognizes Diversity, but it also recognizes Conversity – an intentional focus on commonalities leading to attitudes and behaviors that capitalize on human differences for organizational success.

Leadership Award Criteria | nominate an individual

Coro’s MLK Leadership Award is bestowed upon an individual which is considered to have demonstrated the highest and best practices of ethical leadership and has used his/her leadership status to make a profound improvement to the quality of life of the people of the Pittsburgh region. 

Managers are many, they help businesses, nonprofits and government meet their annual goals. Leaders, however, are fewer. They align the right people to the right tasks at the right time.

Coro believes that leadership cannot be taught, but it can be learned. Coro facilitates that learning. Leadership is a journey, not a destination.

Coro believes that effective leadership includes the following ten competencies:

• Self Awareness
• Interpersonal and relationship skills
• Communication skills
• Employee development (mentoring, coaching)
• Customer orientation
• Strategic business acumen
• Project leadership
• Creating and actualizing vision
• Create, support and manage change

A great leader knows how to leverage the strengths they already have, and to surround themselves with others to fill in their own gaps.

A great leader realizes that each of their people is unique and coaches them to leverage their own strengths.

Great leaders are resilient:
            Willingness to jump in and get things started
            Seeks opportunities for performance improvement
            Builds on others ideas for the benefit of the decision
            Maintains appropriate, empowered attitude
            Persistence in managing and overcoming adversity
            Acts proactively in seeking new opportunities
            Prioritizes and manages time

Dr. Lance Kurke (formerly Duquesne University School of Business Administration) identified four leadership processes taken from the life of Alexander the Great:

• Reframing problems – leaders create the reality in their organizations
• Building alliances
• Establishing identity
• Directing symbols – the images and culture of the organization