Key Issues in Diversity That Help a Workplace Succeed
Diversity exists in every workplace and has the potential to either help or hinder the success of the business. For a workplace to succeed, it must develop a culture of inclusion in which workers are encouraged to be who they are rather than clinging to established stereotypes. Organizations must also identify and celebrate the distinctive contributions of diverse individuals. There are key issues in diversity that must be properly managed to help the workplace succeed.
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Identification
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Diversity includes more than just variations in races and ethnic groups. True diversity also acknowledges the difference in people of varying sexes, ages, educations and socioeconomic backgrounds. The acknowledgment that diversity exists in even a seemingly homogeneous work group is a key issue in diversity that can help a workplace succeed. It is essential for organizational leaders to know and understand their employees to take advantage of the opportunities this diversity can provide.
Significance
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Properly managed diversity has the potential to help a workplace succeed in a variety of manners. For example, a diverse workforce is better able to respond to diverse clientele. The management of diversity ensures the organization is able to maintain pace with competitors in a quickly changing global economy. Properly managed diversity helps leaders take full advantage of the specific strengths of each employee. Additionally, when workers with varying backgrounds come together, they are more likely to develop new, more efficient processes for completing day-to-day work activities.
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Benefits
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There are many benefits to exploiting the diversity that exists in the workplace. For example, increasing diversity in the workplace helps the organization avoid group think. In some cases, diversity can be cultivated simply by encouraging workers to talk about their differences. The diverse workforce can increase creativity and productivity. Developing a culture of inclusion also increases employee engagement and retention.
The addition of new attitudes to a traditional workplace challenges old ways of thinking, which can foster a more balanced attitude toward work. For example, according to the EthnoConnect website, western business culture subscribes to the attitudes of "time is money" and "getting to the bottom line," whereas in most other countries around the world, time is used for building relationships and getting to know potential business partners before starting a transaction. By introducing varying attitudes, the organization can more easily compete on a broader, global economic scale.
Challenges
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Countering the challenges of diversity is a key issue in the success of a workplace. Managing interactions between employees of diverse backgrounds, educations and communication styles can affect the ability of group members to work as a team. Misunderstandings between diverse employees can lead to low worker morale and low productivity. Additionally, employers must take steps to ensure the organization properly complies with all applicable affirmative action and equal employment opportunity regulations.
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