Diversity at Work
When you type the word ‘diversity’ into Google, two definitions will pop up. Here, diversity is defined as both something that is “showing a great deal of variety; very different” and something that is“including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.”
Although these definitions differ from each other slightly, the message is essentially the same; the idea of diversity equates to having a group that is filled with a variety of different people, values and ideas. This ideal is something that many companies strive for, and yours should too. Want to know why? Let’s get into it.
Being diverse is essential if a company is looking to create inclusive and well-researched outcomes, as it allows for a variety of perspectives to be considered in the creation of work. If your team is composed of people who all originate from the same background and belief system, they will likely all have quite similar ideas and ways of thinking. Although this can mean that your team will usually get along quite well, as they will have similar strengths, it also means that they will have similar weaknesses; and therefore, when confronted with an issue that most of them tend to struggle with, it will take a lot longer to get out of trouble.
With a diverse team, however, the variety of perspectives, ideas and thought systems will allow for a variety of strengths and weaknesses. Regardless of the problem you face, it is likely that at least one person on the team will have some relevant experience, or even just a thought, that can help you to problem-solve and fix the issue.
Furthermore, a diverse school of thought in the workplace helps to encourage new ways of looking at the world. If you’re in a team that’s filled with people who are alike, when the time comes to edit and finalise work, it is probable that these many of people will have a similar opinion on the piece, and all suggest similar edits. Again, this is great for creating a peaceful and co-operative work environment, but it can mean that you may be lacking inclusivity, accessibility and thorough editing in the final piece of work, which is more costly to your business.
Why?
A diverse group of people, like I’ve stated, have different ways of thinking, and focus on different things when confronted with the same task, outcome or problem. When it comes to editing work, diversity can be much more beneficial in a team than having a very similar group of people, as it means another person in your workplace is more likely pick up on problems or mistakes that you potentially didn’t spot when you were creating your piece of work. Even better, they may be able to pick up any unethical or culturally insensitive ideas which you may not have even been aware that your work was perpeprating, and can therefore make sure that the final published work is free of any bias, discrimination or unfair ideas. This is not only morally right, but will do great for your profits and grow your customer base, as people from a larger variety of backgrounds will be more willing to align with a business that is culturally and ethically sensitive.
Still not convinced of the value of diversity? Witness it with your own eyes - next time it comes to hiring new employees, prioritize diversity, and see the results for yourself.