As the workforce diversifies, issues of discrimination and identity-related conflict are growing challenges in the workplace. One way to better understand how employees perceive and respond to these challenges is by examining those who choose to confront them directly. Drawing on prior research on workplace courage, we explore the behaviors and motivations of these employees, introducing the concept of diversity courage. Using a qualitative research approach, we identify the unique contextual factors, risks, motivations, behaviors, and outcomes associated with engaging in these identity-related acts of courage. We present a process model of employee engagement in such acts and highlight how this form of courage differs from existing conceptualizations. Our findings offer new insights into an understudied yet critical aspect of workplace behavior.
