Stronger Together

Finding Strength In Our Diversity

- Terine Lott-Cupido

As leaders of an organisation, you may have a team vary in age, have different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. This may not always be easy to manage, but as the leader, you have to make it work, because your team’s productivity may suffer. According to Fortune Magazine, research showed that companies that embraced a more inclusive culture had outperformed their counterparts. There is thus value in exploring this topic, a bit further.

What is Diversity Management?

The Business Directory describes diversity management as, “The practice of addressing and supporting multiple lifestyles and personal characteristics within a defined group. Management activities include educating the group and providing support for the acceptance of and respect for various racial, cultural, societal, geographic, economic and political backgrounds.”

Diversity management is aimed at creating an inclusive working environment for all employees, so that the maximum potential of each employee, is unlocked. Now, you may be wondering, how is this typically done? Let’s help answer this question for you and unpack a few tips for you to consider.

1. Diversity Awareness

Diversity awareness is aimed at sharing the purpose of diversity management and eliminating the misconceptions that may have initially existed. It also helps with creating an improved awareness about different cultures and at the same time address incorrect stereotypes. It is thus important to encourage leaders and employees to undergo diversity awareness training, to explain the role of management and employees in the company when creating an inclusive work culture.