Negosentro|Why You Should Hire People From All Walks of Life|The corporate world and human resources departments throw the word “diversity” around a lot, but in many cases, it’s nothing more than a number they need to fill. Many HR departments see employee hiring as the way to meet a diversity quota. By doing this, companies miss out on the real reason why hiring many different types of people from all walks of life can be beneficial to a company.
A team where different people come together to share and reflect their life experiences, as well as their cultural and socio-economic differences, can offer a company a unique, well-rounded view of the world. Companies that recognize the benefits of an inclusive workplace can help the business attract a wider range of customers.
Can Opposing Points of View Productively Work Together?
A diverse team reflecting varying ages, abilities, religious beliefs, ethnicities, genders, and cultures does not mean that there will be too many diverging points of view that lead to a diluted company mission. Good leadership that fosters a collaborative environment can encourage people that think and see things differently so that they may work together towards achieving a singular purpose.
Leadership in a collaborative workplace sets clear guidelines on the tasks at hand, encourages employees to work as a team instead of individually, trusts employees with a great deal of responsibility, and expects consistent communication between everyone involved.
Stryker, a medical technology company, was named by Fortune as the best workplace for diversity in 2019. Nearly all (95%) of the employees that rated Stryker said they are given a lot of responsibility and are made to feel welcome.
Leaving Judgements and Prejudices at the Door
Companies in which teams work best together recognize that diversity may be the reason they hired the team of employees, but that employees must leave any personal differences at the door. It’s necessary that the workplace makes all employees feel welcome and as a valuable part of the team. One of the most effective ways to achieve inclusivity at work is by setting aside judgments regarding how one workplace group may be different from another.
For example, when the staff comes together to work towards their mutual goals, the label of recovering addict, LGBTQ young adult, or disabled immigrant should be set aside. Although their personal experiences can provide a fresh perspective, a label should not define the individual. It falls on management, HR, and leadership to handle this sensitively to keep employees on track.
A cultural competency training program that helps break down cultural barriers and misconceptions may be required to help leadership and management have a better understanding of how to manage a diverse workplace. Team building activities could also serve as the bridge to foster friendships in the workplace and help diverse team members discover what each has in common with the others. This will help members of the group to overlook differences more easily.
Some team building activities that foster inclusiveness and build better understanding between team members include the following:
- Hold a casual brainstorming session on how to creatively solve a project issue.
- Organize a barbeque once per month at the end of the day on a Friday.
- Host a weekend sport or game activity such as a company softball team or chess group.
- Have an international food day once per week in the company cafeteria and encourage employees to work with the cafeteria on the menu.
- Occasionally take a 15 to 30-minute workplace break to play a game. “Secrets” is a great game that will help break the ice and show employees how words can be easily misunderstood. To play the game, everyone lines up and the first person says a phrase or comment with a gesture to the person behind them. That person must then pass on the phrase and gesture to the person behind them. It’s funny to see how the original phrase changes as it is passed on.
A Diverse Workplace Is a Better One
When employees work in a diverse environment, they may feel more at ease, knowing they are welcome, regardless of their differences. They may feel less singled out and more willing to be open and contribute. This is a win-win for the company and the individuals that work for it.
Credit
