Talking about the incorporation of diversity in work spaces, CEO of Society of Women, Karen Horting said, “Diversity is not an issue that just affects minorities or women. Diversity is an issue that affects the entire workforce.” Cultural differences refer to diversity of race, ethnic backgrounds, gender disparity and religious discrepancy which can all influence a company at large. According to a research about cultural diversity in workplace, company can make better decisions by 87%. Moreover, McKinsey & Company believes that inclusivity of cross-culture can enhance your financial performance by 35% compared to others.
In 2019, you simply cannot neglect the impact lack of diversity in workplace can have on your business. Recently, Jeff Jones, the president of Uber stepped down from his position after the employees complained of feeling harassed by the HR due to lack of acceptance of differences. On the other hand, Indeed Survey in 2016 shows that 24% of people have felt discriminated against in their workplace. Many cosmetic companies and clothing businesses have also faced backlash due to racist comments or misogynistic conduct in the work place.
At Instructure, Jeff Weber, the senior vice president of people and places has noticed that it is not only millennials or Gen-Z people who confront companies upfront about their efforts towards inclusion. According to him, “We’re hearing this from white, straight men in the Midwestern United States.” So, what are the steps that an organization can take to resolve the cultural differences? It is not enough to hire people from diverse groups if you or the team does not value their viewpoints and input with empathy.
Besides hiring people from differing cultural backgrounds, you can also enhance their role and position by ensuring that they are treated the same as everyone else. In fact, your Human Resources team should be diverse to address any problems or uncomfortable experiences faced by your staff with diverse backgrounds. In addition, you can organize fun team building activities Singapore that will promote empathy and progress in your company.
Fun team building activities Singapore can make a huge difference in your workplace. For example:
§ Pair two members of different groups together for a discussion and make them write about the experience other might face because of their racial, ethnic or religious background.
§ Set up a bias jar so anyone who is detected being biased has to put in a dollar and face confrontment in a healthy way to resolve their ideas.
§ Set up the ‘I am, I am not’ game where you distribute paper that can address stereotypes such as, “I am Black but I am not criminal”.
§ You should assign one project to people from diverse groups so they are working towards achieving a common goal.
§ Pair two members of different groups together for a discussion and make them write about the experience other might face because of their racial, ethnic or religious background.
§ Set up a bias jar so anyone who is detected being biased has to put in a dollar and face confrontment in a healthy way to resolve their ideas.
§ Set up the ‘I am, I am not’ game where you distribute paper that can address stereotypes such as, “I am Black but I am not criminal”.
§ You should assign one project to people from diverse groups so they are working towards achieving a common goal.
These are a few fun team building activities that can promote a more inclusive and tolerant working atmosphere. If you are a manager, you can take the lead by showing acceptance towards diverse groups and trusting people with tasks against the stereotypes of their background.
