The workplace today is quite dynamic. The business landscape is expected to change dramatically over the next few decades. Companies have to embrace working with different people to foster global company culture and promote employee innovation. That’s why managers invest heavily in diversity equity and inclusion training, as they are the key drivers of change in their business environment.
Whether you own a small business or a large multinational corporation, the benefits of diversity and inclusion are equal as diversity takes many forms from culture, race, gender, educational background, sexuality, and more. In this post, you will learn how to promote diversity in this ever-changing work environment.
Prioritize Diversity & Inclusion
Creating an inclusive workplace begins when you focus on making it a priority. Discuss its value with your employees, candidates, customers, and stakeholders. Let diversity be part of your branding and create a long-term plan that includes diversity at all company levels. Invest in employee training and embrace strategies that shift the company culture. Some strategies include training and retaining top talent, talent support and development, performance management, and employee feedback.
Lead By Example
If you want to create a culture of diversity & inclusion, you need to be proactively engaged in all the diversity initiatives. This means playing a significant role in recognizing changes and appreciating strategies and people who facilitate diversity & inclusion. Leading by example also means caring about your employees, managing your biases, and treating all your employees equally.
Listen to Your Employees
A good leader must be empathetic. Your employees are the backbone of your company; they need to feel respected, appreciated, supported, and valued. Happy employees are intellectually and emotionally attached to their work, which builds trust, honesty, and productivity. Understand that every employee is different and focus on learning their strengths and supporting them. Allow them to share ideas and talk about areas that need improvement during meetings.
Welcome Multilingual Workforce
If you run a multinational company, you probably know the importance of having a multilingual workforce. For everyone to feel included, you must take into account language barriers and preferences. Having people who can translate or speak a language that everyone understands brings people together as everyone feels included. For instance, a US-based company operating worldwide may need to hire employees from China to communicate and serve customers from China. Chinese customers will feel valued, appreciated, and mostly included.
Observe Diverse Traditions, Holiday Celebrations from Other Cultures
A diverse holiday calendar for your employees means that you value their cultures. Encourage your team to get involved in these celebrations at the workplace and find appropriate ways to celebrate these traditions. These holidays are fantastic for team-building and provide an excellent opportunity for colleagues to connect. Large organized celebrations aren’t necessary or practical.
The idea is to acknowledge a cultural holiday, which can be done via email over coffee or lunch break, especially if the employee is far from home. Similarly, sensitivity to cultural or religious practices is equally important. Avoid calling meetings during prayer times or client lunches when you have employees who are fasting.