Here is the story how I learned benefits of diversity in the workplace. In December, I attended an international conference which was held by one of the largest international youth organization.
This was a historical moment of my career despite this was my first conference I’ve ever attended as a professional and got fully funded to attend this conference, it was the moment where more than 250 leaders from Asia Pacific region came together in one place.
Experiencing 5 days in this conference was like living a small 5 days of life. Be it when I was sat down at lunch, had a casuals, attend a different session or even at sleepover party, each person I met in every session was from different part of the world.
It is not easy to forget how incredible this experience because some of unique things we have are embedded in our daily activities.
Learning Benefits of Diversity in The Workplace
Despite the different political situation of the world, I’m beyond grateful to have a chance to work and to be friends with people from different countries.
All of this is far beyond of just tolerance and acceptance. It is about cross-cultural understanding as well.
During this conference, we were not only attended a-boring-one-side-seminar session, we also went through a process of brainstorming and idea creation especially when the delegates from ASEAN nations came together to envision the master plan for ASEAN Economics Community that would be implemented several days after the conference ended –and it’s now already.
Can you imagine a space where ideas of 250 people are treated equally, accepted and everyone has a chance to contribute during the process?
I must confess that it was amazing! While at the same time I there is some questions struck me: “
Did I do enough research before it started? Are our ideas grounded enough?”
I stopped for a second and looked around, I was in the middle of the room with such great diversity, not only legacy or experiential diversity, but something more important: thought diversity.
Deloitte Consulting find out on their research that diversity in the workplace gives an incredible benefit such as diversity of thought. Either multinational corporations or start-up companies, seeking out talent with different thinking and problem solving backgrounds is critical.
Most importantly, Diversity of thought leads to better decisions in the workplace.
But unfortunately they also revealed that diversity and inclusion are consistently reported as the least important issues on leaders’ minds compared to other HR matters.
With an eye for diversity, managers, and HR representatives can select people who think differently while still maintaining alignment with the mission and business objectives.
Tapping to international talent in order to create diversity in the workplace may seem harder than recruit locally.
But reality is the opposite, by hiring international talent you are not only bringing diversity in your company but also you are hiring diversity of thought in the best talent with desired skills for your business.
This is what everyone in SEA must pay attention for. There will be a wealth of skilled workforce that we simply can’t ignore.
Instead of limiting the numbers of foreign talent in the company, we need to realize that this AEC momentum is a great start to achieve diversity of thought in order to lead the better decisions we are all desire.
Read: Are You Just Jumping into Startup? These Books May Help You
5 Top Advantages of Diversity in the Workplace
Understanding the advantages of diversity in the workplace can lead to greater productivity, profitability, and team morale.
It can also result in a reduced rate of employee turnover for your business.
Learn about the numerous benefits of diversity in the workplace and some best practices for embracing inclusion and diversity in your own business.
Five benefits of diversity in the workplace:
Better opportunities for creativity and problem-solving
A diverse workforce brings together people with different experiences, skills, perspectives, and insights to solve problems.
Diversity fosters innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking because teams comprised of individuals from varied backgrounds can draw upon their unique experiences and a wider range of knowledge to spark new, innovative ideas.
Employees with diverse backgrounds may also connect on a deeper level, enhancing workplace collaboration.
Smarter decision-making
Diverse groups of employees draw from a wider range of sources and experiences, enabling them to make more educated decisions, resulting in better outcomes for your business.
According to one study, diverse teams make better decisions than non-diverse teams up to 87% of the time.
Diverse teams are known to be smarter, more innovative, and more socially aware, showcasing the many diversity benefits when you expand your hiring practices.
These individuals process facts more carefully, a significant factor in making data-driven decisions.
An increase in profits and productivity
Inclusive companies attract ambitious professionals, leading to a more motivated, efficient workforce and increased productivity and profitability.
An Indeed survey found that 55% of job seekers consider it very or extremely important to work at a company that prioritizes diversity and inclusion.
Diverse teams not only excel in productivity but also contribute to the company’s profitability.
Studies show that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity in their executive teams are 15% more likely to generate above-average profitability compared to companies with predominantly white male executive teams.
Reduced rates of employee turnover
One of the most significant advantages of diversity in the workplace is that employees often feel more comfortable and satisfied in inclusive environments.
They tend to be more loyal and are more likely to stay longer at companies where their unique contributions are recognized and respected.
Workplace equality boosts confidence and encourages employees to reach their full potential.
Diverse teams generally have higher morale and demonstrate increased productivity, innovation, and loyalty to the organization.
Improved reputation for your business
When businesses promote diversity, they are perceived as more relatable, socially responsible, and human by a broader audience.
This can enhance your overall brand reputation, attracting new customers, partnerships, and markets.
Embracing diversity in the workplace offers substantial benefits, creating a dynamic and thriving environment that fosters innovation, growth, and success.
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