Globalization has inevitably brought people of diverse backgrounds to a common geographical space and this is unlikely to revert. Diversity of experience, age, physical ability, religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and many other attributes contributes to … More than six-in-ten Americans (64%) say the fact that the U.S. population is made up of people of many different races and ethnicities has a positive impact on the country’s culture; 12% say it has a negative impact and 23% say it doesn’t make much difference. Diversity has also been proven to make group smarter — as in, they create better solutions than homogenous groups do. Take the time as an organization to celebrate employee differences. American classrooms are becoming more diverse every year,* which means cultural diversity in the classroom is becoming an increasingly important issue for educators throughout the education system. Culture is a broad term that encompasses beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and overall can be understood as our “way of being.” When you go out into the world, you will come into contact with people from different backgrounds and walks of life. When any organization invests in diversity, it results in the creation … With the rise of globalization, it’s more important to be able to work with people from different cultures and social groups. With a diverse student population, students have the privilege of gaining more understanding about people and backgrounds from all over. Benefits and Challenges of Diversity The diversity of a university’s faculty, staff, and students influences its strength, productivity, and intellectual personality. Approaching cultural diversity with a mindset and actions that embrace this fact leads to many benefits, like: Individuals and institutions alike have the agency to support cultural diversity. Improved creativity. Benefits of diversity at work place Cultural diversity in the workplace is when companiesare open to hiring employees from all sorts of different backgrounds; regardless of race, religion and culture. There are likely to be some initial challenges and growing pains that come with the changes. Relationship and communication skills are critical for group effectiveness. Even when co-workers find themselves in an uncomfortable situation at work because of a diverse environment, the very nature of having different perspectives available offsets the declines in productivity experienced. What’s Next For Healthcare In 2021? Benefits of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace . If they learn to identify and work well with individuals who have good advice to offer, such as cultural informants and professional interpreters, they will increase their chances of success.”. I’m pleased to say that slowly, over time, that has ceased to be the case. It’s a good rule of thumb to honor cultural diversity with your actions. Language skills can open doors for a business. And the business case for diversity includes these perspective … In society today, most people view diversity as a good thing because it gives people the chance to experience different things outside of what they are normally accustomed to. Cultural diversity is the quality of diverse or different cultures, as opposed to monoculture, the global monoculture, or a homogenization of cultures, akin to cultural decay.The phrase cultural diversity can also refer to having different cultures respect each other's differences. List of the Advantages of Diversity in the Workplace 1. If your intentions aren’t sincere, you risk creating a situation where no true mixing and cooperation take place instead of having an integrated, synergistic team. The results show that two-thirds of the people that took part in this survey find cultural diversity important part of the job seeking process. While you can never fully understand someone’s life without being them, you can learn, listen, and understand. 18 Advantages and Disadvantages of Diversity in the Workplace (Cultural and Gender) Jan 28, ... Now companies are realizing that having diversity in the workplace creates a higher level of comfort than having everyone approach situations in the same way. The Census Bureau projects that by the year 2100, the U.S. minority population will become the majority with non-Hispanic whites making up only 40% of the U.S. population. Cultural diversity is synonymous with multiculturalism. Having a culturally diverse workforce can result in a competitive advantage for. Simone Biles, Olympic Champion, Business Administration, How To Survive A Boring Class (And Still Get Good Grades), Internships USA: Your Complete Guide to Getting One, Deferring Your Student Loans as a Returning Student, Recognizing that there is a large amount of cultures that exist, Acknowledging that all cultural expressions are valid, Valuing what cultures have to bring to the table, Celebrating differences, not just tolerating them, Interact with people outside of your culture, Be open-minded to listen and let go of judgment, If you see anyone who is being culturally insensitive, speak out against it, Accept that differences are beneficial and not harmful, Don’t force your beliefs on people with opposing views, Advocate to hire people or work with people who are not within your same culture, Travel the world as much as you can to take part in cultures and understand them from the source, Read literature and learn from different cultures, Absorb media and art from around the world, Learn a new language and communicate in a friend’s native language rather than your own. The benefits of diversity in teams include wider perspectives, greater creativity, more cultural knowledge and increased employee loyalty. You may opt-out by. It is within our differences that we can find beauty. Diversity among students in education directly impacts their performance. Without a well-researched and thoroughly thought-out plan, departments may end up hiring candidates not because of their qualifications but because they fit the picture the company is trying to create. There may be a bit of grumbling about changing the way it’s always been. Helps to create a pool of talent. This design allows each team member to focus on their strengths.If an employer can create diversity in the workplace, then each worker will have their strengths complement those of everyone else on the team. Nearly 95% of directors agree that diversity brings unique perspectives to the boardroom, while 84% believe it enhances board performance.”, Why Cultural Diversity In The Workplace Is A Win-Win. Social segregation often occurs when speakers of two mutually unintelligible languages live side by side. Improved company reputation. Thesis statement: Cultural diversity can be turned into an asset by allowing a variety of viewpoints to offer new perspectives that inspire students and teachers…show more content…. Improved employee engagement. If students are exposed to diversity and learn cultural awareness in the classroom, it sets them up to flourish in the workforce. It paves the way to better problem-solving, more empathy and compassion, deepened learning, and approaches the world from various perspectives. ", "By studying at UoPeople, I have more control over my schedule. Multiculturalism is defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica as, “the view that cultures, races, and ethnicities, particularly those of minority groups, deserve special acknowledgment of their differences within a dominant political culture.”. For them to be effective in achieving results, people-focused aptitudes such as cultural competence are key. The Benefits of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace Written by Rise June 27, 2019 June 27 is Canadian Multiculturalism Day , a day to celebrate Canada’s cultural diversity and commitment to democracy, equality, and mutual respect and also to appreciate the contributions of multicultural groups and communities to our nation’s unique identity. If the group isn’t sure, or is reluctant to open up, I sometimes begin with having them tell me the aspects of cultural diversity at which they excel. Let’s get into the details of how cultural diversity can take shape in professional settings, within educational institutions, and overall, in most aspects of life. What Is Cultural Diversity And Why Is It Important? This means that you’ll have more chances of hiring top talents if you show that there are no prejudices or bias … So, what is cultural diversity and why does it matter? Realize that employees at every level must understand the company’s commitment to zero tolerance in regards to discrimination and harassment. Leadership Coach & Facilitator For The Left-Brained Analytical Leader & Founder of, EY & Citi On The Importance Of Resilience And Innovation, Impact 50: Investors Seeking Profit — And Pushing For Change, Michigan Economic Development Corporation With Forbes Insights, Instead Of New Year’s Resolutions, Try This Instead, Nielsen Executive Cheryl Grace Encourages Women To Unlock Their Earning Power, 2020: The Year Universities Surrendered Completely To Cancel Culture, 5 Simple Ways To Maximize Your Savings And Purchasing Experience, 4 Post Pandemic Mental Health Trends And Predictions For 2021. For an educator, understanding cultural diversity in the classroom is a crucial part of being able to anticipate where certain lessons might lead, or any issues that might arise between students of different backgrounds. The short answer is no. Diversity has not always been welcomed with open arms, but more and more we see people opening their minds to others' ideas. Such success promotes a feeling of camaraderie among team members and encourages successful cooperation in the next company venture. Now, I increasingly work with diverse groups of executives and managers who have come to understand that cultural diversity in the workplace is a valuable commodity. Specific cultural groups may end up feeling excluded and overlooked, resulting in them banding together, creating an us versus them environment. When companies recruit and retain a diverse pool of people, it brings about different benefits to the company as well as its employees. If the merging company is multinational, you may need to figure out how your team will interface with new teammates who speak several different languages. Benefit: Diverse cultural perspectives can inspire creativity and drive innovation In this era of technology and globalisation, many companies are making an effort to succeed in cultural diversity in the workplace. 4 Ways To Take Control Of Your Customer Data In 2021. 1. 13 benefits and challenges of cultural diversity in the workplace 1. Diversity in the workplace … Employees often resist change, and it may take a lot of talk and training for them to adapt to a diverse workplace. When it works, diversity increases workplace productivity and profits. In 2020, it found that employees who felt included in their workplace took 75% less sick days than employees who felt as if they did not belong. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. If you’re unsure how you can take action to do so, consider these ideas: The University of the People was founded with the mission to offer accessible education that’s affordable to students from the entire globe. Attending a culturally diverse institute of education will prepare students for their future in a workplace. © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. Increased innovation is the result of cultural diversity being positively correlated to diverse experiences and perspectives. No doubt students will need to learn how to interact in a diverse environment. For the successful implementation of a cultural diversity plan, I've found that a holistic approach is necessary. Students Are Better Prepared for a Diverse Workplace. Diversity in the workplace has many benefits since most large companies are becoming more globalized and there is a need to interact and connect with a lot of different cultures and with people of many different backgrounds. They need to believe in the potential, and in turn, sell it to upper management, who can sell it to middle management. Leadership Coach And Facilitator For The Left-Brained Analytical Leader & Founder of 'JAS Leadership'. Successfully Implementing A Cultural Diversity Plan. If the change is rapid and somewhat drastic — think a speedy merger with a company based in a different country — you may have to develop a plan that not only deals with cultural differences but also a language barrier. Our culture influences the way in... 2. Increased profits. Take the time to really communicate the diversity goals of your business and hold Q&A sessions to ensure that everyone is on the same page, so the entire organization can effectively foster an environment of diversity and inclusion that benefits one and all. “There is a richness that comes from stu… ", "UoPeople opened an opportunity for me that didn’t otherwise exist. Benefits of workplace diversity Having a diverse and multicultural workplace brings several advantages. Research indicates that the more perspectives you have when solving a problem, the greater the creativity generated by the group. The research proven advantages to cultural diversity in the workplace include increased innovation, greater connection with diverse consumers, and increased ability to attract and retain diverse employees, to name a few. If your company's employees don't reflect this trend and represent cultural diversity, your business may be very much behind the times. When students participate with people from varied cultures, it provides them with more confidence in dealing with things outside of their comfort zones. Their teams also tended to reflect that demographic, with perhaps a few women sprinkled in — again, mostly white. The benefits don't come easily, though. Business today is increasingly global, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. Studies show that students work better in a diverse environment, enabling them to concentrate and push themselves further when there are people of other backgrounds working alongside them. https://www.partnershipinternational.ie/why-is-cultural-diversity-important Students around the world have the right to equal access of quality education, and as such, there are many upsides that come along with it when institutions believe in the power of diversity. Solving this may be as easy as the human resources department conducting a few diversity and inclusivity training sessions. If the work groups in your organization have traditionally been homogeneous, it may take some getting used to on the part of not only management but also members of the team. If a workplace has done the necessary work, it’s bound to be culturally diverse. After having defined the disadvantages of cultural diversity including stereotyping and discrimination, organizations have recognized the need of implementing diversity management strategies that help to overcome the negative aspects of cultural diversity as well as enhance and ease the acculturation process (Graf, 2003; Magnini, 2003). Increased productivity. Innovation: Varied perspectives and lens of looking at the world lend to innovative thinking. One of the main disadvantages of cultural diversity is its tendency to create language barriers. The importance of cultural diversity can be interpreted on the basis of these related actions: So, what are some examples of cultural diversity? Teams and companies that make diversity a priority offer a variety of ideas, perspectives and learning opportunities. No Return To The Status Quo. Since today’s world is increasingly more globalised and interconnected, workplaces should take advantage of the diverse range of skills individuals from different backgrounds and languages can bring. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Language barriers are generally temporary in nature (most immigrants eventually learn the language of the country they move to), but the resultant segregation can endure, as exemplified in segregated neighborhoods and ethnic ghetto… As Paula Loop and Paul DeNicola wrote in an article for Harvard Business Review, “after years of asking corporate directors about the importance of diversity in the boardroom, we’ve got some good news: the vast majority see value in including more women and minorities. The things you do and the practices you were taught inform who you become. While our institution is set up to be affordable to all because programs are tuition-free, we also extend specific scholarships that help to grow cultural diversity. We believe that our differences bring strength and can help to promote world peace, just like education. Leadership Coach And Facilitator For The Left-Brained Analytical Leader & Founder of 'JAS Leadership'.…. Diversity shows itself peeking out from the corner in many different ways: race, sexuality, culture, values, religion, gender, and an abundance of other ways. Language barriers and cultural differences can often … A good starting point is to determine where any disconnects are coming from. Jean Snell, clinical professor of teacher education at the University of Maryland, believes cultural diversity enhances the school experience, too. Diversity at work improves productivity. The world is naturally multicultural. The world is filled with people who have different beliefs, religions, traditions, and ways of living. Diverse employees can bring together their different talents, experiences and various skill sets to come up with creative and inventive solutions, whereas another group made up of people with similar backgrounds and skill sets may decide to solve a dilemma in the same way they always have. Inclusiveness also fosters increased productivity and employee satisfaction. Cultural diversity is important in every setting in life, but it can be even more pivotal when it happens within education. But overall it has more advantages which schools can use for the benefit of the students as well as for the benefit of the institution. "My degree has already helped me in getting a great job at IBM. Alder (2008) listed better understanding of … … Your company may experience a slow, steady change of including more and more colleagues with various cultural backgrounds. Diversity in youth brings a greater understanding by individuals as they grow up and experience diversity in the workplace. organizations operating on foreign soil. According to Richard Brislin, author of Working with Cultural Differences, “even though the challenges of extensive intercultural contact are formidable, they can be overcome if people understand the sources of cultural differences and understand a range of behavioral responses to deal with them. There is a great deal of research showing the benefits of diversity in companies. Why Cultural Diversity and Awareness in the Classroom Is Important Embracing cultural diversity can help you succeed as an educator. Hiring applicants to simply be able to say in your corporate promotional materials that you're culturally diverse is unproductive at best. Diversity needs to be evident at every level in the organization, senior management included. ", "In the age of information technology and innovation, University of the People is showing us the way". If you can’t demonstrate how this pertains to every employee at every level, your audience will probably sense the organization’s lack of commitment. Cultural diversity in education helps to support: Learning happens within the curriculum and outside of it. If the folks in the C-suite don’t buy it, it's likely that no one will. Interacting with people who have diverse practices, beliefs, life experiences, and culture promotes empathy. Improved hiring results. Copyright © University of the People 2020, Giuseppe Zerilli, UK, Computer Science Graduate, Rie Sakurai, Business Administration, Japan. Both in educational and professional environments, cultural diversity benefits everyone. “The best workforce is a diverse workforce.” — Ted Colbert, Boeing’s CIO. Executive positions and the majority of management positions were held by white men in expensive business suits. Reduced employee turnover. If a cultural diversity plan is implemented without due forethought and effort, it could go off the rails. It can build strength of character, pride, and confidence. Expertise from Forbes Councils members, operated under license. That means assignments can be handed out with greater specificity so that the quality of the work improves. Most see diversity having a positive impact on the country’s culture. If a cultural diversity plan is implemented without due forethought and effort, it could go off the rails. By process of elimination, we can decide which areas to focus on for improvement. This also contributes to diversity of thought and perspectives that make learning more interesting and dynamic. I coach professionals on group effectiveness, and many years ago, several of the corporate entities I worked with were cookie-cutter examples of uniformity. That’s why we have a global student body with students attending our online degree programs from over 200 countries and territories. Everyone likes to feel needed and as though their contribution is of value. Each year, DiversityInc selects the 50 most diverse companies. An increase in innovation and creativity among a culturally diverse group can create an esprit de corps and the feeling of positive progress for the benefit of the group and the organization. Through education and a greater grasp of cultural competence (an evolving developmental process that encourages the increasing awareness of and respect for the interpersonal styles, beliefs, languages and customs of those from cultures other than our own), many corporations are evolving into multinational melting pots. Workplace diversity leads to better hiring results. Is cultural diversity and why is it important comes from stu… language skills can open for! 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