While the traditional notion of workplace diversity may refer to representations of various races, genders and religious backgrounds, today’s concept of workplace diversity is all-encompassing. Aside from these variables, considerations are also made on personality, age, cognitive style, skillset, education, background and more.
The focus of workplace diversity now lies on the promotion of individuality within an organisation, acknowledging that every person can bring something different to the table.
An organisation that is committed to a diverse workforce, therefore, is one that aims to harness a pool of individuals with unique qualities, seeing this combination of differences as a potential for growth rather than opportunities for conflict. Attached to this commitment is also an intention to nurture and develop the potential of each individual.
So what is it about diversity that can give organisations an edge? Here are several advantages of having a diverse workforce:
1 Various opinions and perspectives
Employees with different background and experiences will bring together a variety of perspectives, thereby evoking alternative solutions and approaches when discussing a topic or issue. If managed well, the strengths and best insights of every individual can be harnessed to heighten productivity and deliver better results.