The power of diversity in teams
In this article, you will learn about:
Why diversity in teams is important
How to play to your strengths as a woman
How to play to your strengths as a man
What is diversity?
In South Africa, we tend to think about diversity in terms of race and ethnicity, but it also refers to different genders, ages, social classes, gender identification, religion, political beliefs, country of origin, physical abilities and value systems.
Why is diversity in the workplace important?
Given South Africa’s political history, it’s not surprising that diversity is a key priority for most organisations. However, creating a diverse workforce can provide a real boost for your business. According to Forbes, companies with gender diverse teams perform, on average, 20% better than their competitors, while those that that are culturally and ethnically diverse are 33% more likely to “experience industry leading profitability”.
The benefits of a diverse workforce:
Different viewpoints bolster creativity: People from different backgrounds have different references and perspectives. This means you and your team are able to look at business problems from many different angles that could lead to innovative solutions, keeping you ahead of your competitors.
Greater profitability: People who belong to a certain demographic may find it easier to relate to others from the same demographic. It is easier for you to speak to different customers. In a country where the market is diverse, like South Africa, this is important. It may even lead to more sales.
A more engaged team: If a workforce is made up of people who share similar backgrounds, they will all have similar skills and outlooks. This means that there are few opportunities to learn from each other. Diversity also makes for a more interesting workplace, because employees enjoy having discussions with people whose experiences are different to their own.
Playing to your strengths as a woman in the workplace
Men and women both have unique qualities that may serve them particularly well in the workplace. For women, this includes:
A focus on relationships: This means that you can build strong partnerships with your colleagues and clients. This is very important at a time when collaboration is a vital skill in the workplace.
Feeling comfortable around complexity: According to the National Library of Medicine, women are often better at multi-tasking, usually because of their ability to take in and simplify large amounts of information.
Being realistic about risk: Every business carries a certain amount of risk. Women are often better equipped to assess this risk realistically, and can take steps to protect the company if necessary.
A long-term outlook: Women are often more focused on what may happen in years to come, rather than looking at the next few months. This makes for better long-term better planning.
Playing to your strengths as a man in the workplace
Men also show different strengths, such as:
Men are good at delegating: This ensures better time management because if they aren’t able to get a job done, they’ll pass it on to someone who can. It also means that they are happy to pass a job to someone who is more skilled in that area.
Men have a greater appetite for risk: This can sometimes be a huge benefit for companies, especially if they wish to establish themselves as first mover in a certain field.
Men feel comfortable improvising: This is an especially useful tool, since the business environment changes very quickly.
Men can be competitive: This can make for an inspiring workforce, where everyone is encouraged to give of their best.
While women can be great at delegating and taking risks just like men can have a long-term outlook or feel comfortable around complexity, having a diverse team increases the likelihood of your business having the balance of skills it needs to innovate its way through a competitive and challenging environment.
A final thought
Find out how you can start driving a culture that embraces diversity. Consider completing a training course, but remember to consult South African courses so that you can ensure your culture of diversity is suited to our local context.
Key takeouts
A diverse workforce can have significant benefits for a company.
