After the coronavirus outbreak, the corporate world has shifted to a remote one,
giving rise to many new trends. Among all those rising trends and changes, you must
have heard about the buzzword – “cultural diversity.”
The pandemic has shown a shift towards increased globalization because remote
teams have become more common. Due to remote work, hiring people from
different countries has become the norm. People from different backgrounds create
a diverse workforce. Fostering inclusiveness and diversity in the workplace is one of
the best ways to promote open-minded and global company culture. It makes good
business sense and helps your employees better understand each other.
Cultural diversity has multiple dimensions, such as ethnicity, religious beliefs, race,
language, etc. To promote it in your organization, you need devoted attention and
effort. Whether you are a part of a multinational corporation or working at a small
start-up, the benefits of diversity in the company are highly compelling. There isn’t a
quick way to build an inclusive culture, but the following tips will help you create a
diverse workforce at ease.
1. Offer diversity training
Each person has an unconscious liking for some kind of people and unconscious
prejudices toward other types of people. They make their own assumptions without
knowing people. These people need to get rid of their own assumptions. Offer
diversity training to all your employees so that they can understand the value of
different cultures. Leaders should understand that diversity training will enlighten
their employees about the importance of cultural diversity.
2. Promote employee resources group
One of the best ways to promote cultural diversity in the workplace is to create an
employee resources group. These groups are led by some employees who are
usually underrepresented. Try to include people who are sensitive to cultural issues
and speak multiple languages. These people understand the importance of a diverse
workforce and respect everyone in the team. Employee resources groups are open
to everyone, and try to connect employees. Leaders of these groups host different
events where everyone shares their experiences. Moreover, they celebrate both
their similarities and differences. These events help develop a sense of belonging.
3. Seek out new perspectives and ideas
You should always be open to new perspectives to get better results. People from
different cultures have different approaches to business issues. Sometimes you can
get a better insight from their unique ideas. Whenever you are having a problem, get
in touch with your employees, and see what solution they can offer. They may reveal
a solution that you would have never considered on your own. Moreover,
establishing a workforce where different opinions are valued can go a long way.
Through this approach, you can easily promote more inclusive company culture.
This inclusive culture will help you attract and retain diverse talent.
4. Communicate with employees
Meaningful conversation is the key to everything. Always be open to interacting
with your employees when they face social justice or race issues. You must even
have a time-to-time conversation with your employees, and ask if they are feeling
comfortable working in your organization or not. As a leader, you need to
understand that your employees may be feeling disgusted, anxious, frustrated, or
angry. It is important to hear and understand their feelings. Always lend an ear
when your employees want to say something.
5. Create a culturally diverse holiday calendar
However, there are many ways to foster cultural diversity, but one of the best ways
is to create a culturally diverse holiday calendar. Encourage all your employees to
celebrate different traditions, and respect each culture. From Oktoberfest to Eid,
celebrate each festival as it can be a great way to connect employees at different
levels. Take time to personally acknowledge significant religious or cultural
holidays. If you don’t have enough time to celebrate all festivals, just send an email
to wish your employees. Apart from major holidays, acknowledging regular
religious practices is also important.
Wrapping it up
People want to be recognized at their work for their whole selves, not for the facet
of their identity. Cultural diversity is one of the most important factors for keeping
your workplace positive and your employees satisfied. It serves more than one
purpose; first of all, it makes the organization look good and people feel connected
at the same time. With cultural diversity, you can build an inclusive, healthy, and
growing company. Apply the mentioned tips to promote cultural diversity in your
workplace.