Diversity and Inclusion; Going beyond the appearance of it

What comes to mind when you think about the words “workplace diversity” ? For some it is a core human value, while for others the term has become merely a buzzword. Wherever you are on your journey to becoming a more diverse and inclusive team, the most important thing is to live it out from an authentic place.

Let’s first begin by aligning our definition of diversity; To be diverse means to include a variety. This may be in age, gender, ethnicity, physical ability, sexual orientation or professional expertise etc.

There are several benefits to embracing and valuing diversity in your company. Here are the most common ones;

1. Increased employee engagement
2. Increased productivity
3. Increased skills and knowledge
4. More creativity and innovation
5. More profit, business prospects and customer loyalty
6. Faster problem-solving
7. Improved brand positioning
8. Increased job satisfaction and motivation
9. Higher employee retention

As many as the benefits of diversity are, the most important reason to be diverse is this; because people are important. So how can you know whether diversity and inclusion are truly your values and not just a strategy?

1. You understand why diversity is necessary: Regardless of your target market demographic, not all clients will be the same. Having a team that represents society (to an extent) results in increased connection with your stakeholders. Therefore, your employees should have backgrounds and experiences that will help them connect with your customers, otherwise you risk losing some of them. When there is understanding among groups and individuals, that connection improves your services and even the types of products you offer. This leads to more relevant solutions
2. You include different opinions and perspectives: As we mentioned in the definition, diversity means to include a variety. It’s not simply hiring people because they look or sound different, but it is also welcoming their perspectives and considering them when making decisions or creating your work culture. This could be done through activities such as “lunch and learns” (we mentioned this on our Instagram and Facebook pages) or having more intentional meetings. If you create space to hear different views, you are on the right path to true inclusion
3. You get interested in new ideas as opposed to being resistant to them: Having diversity has the potential to create conflict. However, building a culture that is curious and open to other views can help lead you to better solutions. This can be created by having a company culture of listening first, as well as embracing non-judgmental listening. As a leader, you might also need to get into the habit of directly encouraging input or having follow-up questions. A good leader takes the time to understand their team
4. You are prepared to make sacrifices for the greater good: There is a proverb that states, “if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Considering your employees’ needs may sometimes require you to make changes. Whether it is having nursing rooms for new mothers, or improving accessibility in the workplace for those with disabilities, you are willing to make changes to create a more functional working environment
5. You are interested in your team members as individuals and not only because they are a representative of a group of people: This means taking an interest right from the hiring process. You are on the right path if you take your time when selecting candidates and make sure you’re not only actively including diverse candidates, but that you also take into account the skills and background they add onto your team

Has this been insightful to you? Share this with someone or comment below if you have any thoughts.