group generalizations

I tend to treat all groups with the same degree of respect and consideration regardless of role, level, industry or sector.  However, this is good fodder for a discussion on generalizations.  While it is informative to read, hear, or learn about the perspectives out there, this should not prevent you from developing your own understanding independently, and it should not be THE ONLY source for your decisions and actions.  Doing the opposite is where it gets into the dangerous ground of stereotyping.  Doesn't this make sense from (I'll use the D word) a DIVERSITY standpoint?  Having experienced diversity challenges in the workplace as a change leader and woman of color, this point seems to get glossed over, lost, or altogether ignored when it is oftentimes the source of many diversity, and therefore, company issues.   If only more people learned this distinction, we would all save ourselves a little heartache (and lawsuits), and get a lot more benefit from leveraging diversity.