Harnessing Power Of Diversity In Workplace; 5 Benefits You Can't Ignore
Diversity in the workplace is no longer something organisations should strive for—it’s essential. With the right strategies and approaches, diversity can be used to create a positive, productive and successful workplace.
Companies with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion can reap a number of benefits, such as improved team dynamics, increased creativity, and better problem solving. Harnessing the power of diversity in the workplace comes with many advantages that can’t be ignored. From a better understanding of global markets to improved organisational performance, the benefits of a diverse workforce are numerous. As organisations strive to create a workplace that is truly inclusive and supportive of all types of employees, they are more likely to reap the rewards of a more diverse and engaged workforce.
What is Diversity in the Workplace?
Diversity, in the workplace context, is the presence of people from different backgrounds and cultures, including different genders, races, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds. Diversity comes in many forms, but is often discussed in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, age, socio-economic background, education level, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs. Organisations should strive to create a workplace that is inclusive of all types of people, and is supportive of their unique cultures and perspectives. Organisations that embrace diversity have a competitive advantage in the marketplace. When companies have a clear vision for how to utilise their employees’ unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives, they create a culture that is productive and supportive of employees.
Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace
Improved Team Dynamics - When employees come from many different backgrounds and cultures, they think and act differently than those who don’t. Because of this, diverse teams often come up with better outcomes than homogeneous teams. Because they think and act differently, diverse teams are able to identify problems and find solutions that may have been missed by more similar teams. When people come from different backgrounds, they are able-minded enough to disagree and challenge each other. This type of open exchange leads to insightful and creative solutions to problems.
Increased Creativity - When employees come from different backgrounds, the way they look at the world is unique. This gives them a different perspective on tasks and problems, leading to more creative problem-solving. When people from different cultures and backgrounds are given the opportunity to work together, they engage in creative problem-solving and communication to overcome cultural differences. This leads to a more creative energy, and culture is no longer a barrier to creativity.
Better Problem Solving - When people from different cultures and backgrounds are put together in teams, they are able to identify problems and come up with creative solutions that would normally be overlooked by homogeneous teams. Homogeneous teams tend to either overlook problems or only have one perspective on the problem, while diverse teams have the ability to see potential problems and offer multiple solutions.
Improved Understanding of Global Markets - When companies hire employees that come from different cultures and backgrounds, they have a more accurate understanding of their global markets. When people are hired because of their cultural background and knowledge of a certain market, the organisation is able to have a better understanding of the needs of their customers. This leads to a more successful marketing strategy and more efficient customer service.
Improved Organisational Performance - When organisations embrace diversity they are able to select the best employees for specific roles and positions. This is because they are not just looking at an applicant’s past experiences and education, but also their cultural backgrounds. When companies hire for culture fit, they are able to select employees who are more likely to succeed in the position, and contribute positively to the team. This leads to a more productive and successful organisation.
Strategies for Creating a Diverse Workplace
There are many ways to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. Here are a few strategies organisations can use to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
Engage in Internal Diversity – Companies that want to build a more diverse workplace must first examine their own cultures and see if they are inclusive of all types of employees. If there is room for improvement, leaders must make a commitment to creating a cultural transformation. They can start by looking at how promotions are given out, how employees are rewarded, and how employees are given feedback. Diversity at all levels, including the top positions, is essential for a successful workplace.
Use a Diverse Approach to Hiring - When organisations want to hire employees from different backgrounds, they must take a diverse approach. Hiring managers must actively look for candidates from different cultures, and be open to considering people who may not fit the traditional hiring criteria. In order to create a more diverse workplace, organisations must be open to considering all potential candidates, and not just those who fit the typical hiring requirements.
Develop a Welcoming Company Culture - A welcoming workplace culture is essential for building a more diverse workplace. When leaders and managers create a culture that welcomes all types of people, they are able to attract a more diverse group of applicants. Once people are hired, leaders must be aware of their actions and how they may affect employees. Creating a welcoming culture starts with hiring the right people, and continues through training and performance reviews.
Conclusion
Diversity in the workplace is no longer something organisations should strive for—it’s essential. With the right strategies and approaches, diversity can be used to create a positive, productive and successful workplace. Companies with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion can reap a number of benefits, such as improved team dynamics, increased creativity, and better problem solving.
Harnessing the power of diversity in the workplace comes with many advantages that can’t be ignored. From a better understanding of global markets to improved organisational performance, the benefits of a diverse workforce are numerous. As organisations strive to create a workplace that is truly inclusive and supportive of all types of employees, they are more likely to reap the rewards of a more diverse and engaged workforce.
