Challenges Of Diversity In The Workplace

Diversity is a term filled with complexities.  However, in today’s world it plays a major role in determining success because the present business environment has become very competitive. Organizations require diverse strategies to maintain and retain themselves. The major factors of Diversity are ethnic groups, gender, race, age, personality, education, tenure etc.  It not only impacts on how employees perceive themselves but also how they view their colleagues and their ideologies.

Diversity can be a blessing in disguise, and when it proves testimony to this belief, it can lead to the organization making more returns. The reason behind that is cultural understanding and linguistic bonding, which can enable organizations to serve a broader range of customers. The company workforce who enjoys interacting and communicating from various points of views can result in a bigger pool of ideas and knowledge, which can motivate and inspire employees to reach the pinnacle of success.

On the other hand, diversity also brings with itself a bag full of challenges, the top one being the communication barrier.  Miscommunications amongst employees result in confusion, low morale, and lack of teamwork, which, in turn, becomes a barrier in accomplishing the organization target. Understanding your coworkers plays a vital role in growth, both personal and economical.

The next being cultural differences. People of diverse cultures, ideologies and beliefs have different methods of approach, which lead to clash of ideas.  Management of cultural diversity requires proper solutions to create an organizational environment that allows all the employees to reach out to their full potential.

Gender diversity can influence how people interact and behave with one another in the workplace and would impact culture and social environment as well. The best way is to employ people based on their potential and not on their gender.

Age diversity means the proportion of aged people in the workplace to that of youngsters, when addressed and understood well, it has the potential to create magnificent results. When senior citizens and youngsters decide to work together in a symbiotic and synchronized manner, they create a beautiful fusion of wisdom and technology.

Religious diversity is an important component of cultural diversity, which management are now taking seriously in their pedagogies. However, cultural diversity and religious diversity are often evaluated quite differently. In our society now, there is a polite and superficial consensus that cultural diversity is here to stay and enrich life. When treated and understood with respect, it can create a plethora of new options, ideas, and solutions.

How To Enrich Diversity In Your Workplace

The origin of diversity attitude starts from the top management and then filters downwards to other employees and involves all layers. Organizations must develop and implement strategies that support cultural diversity to reach interdepartmental cohesion.  Managers and leaders within the organization should incorporate more policies on diversity.

Associated Alliance is an excellent example on how implementing a good diversity strategy can enhance the overall production of the team, find solutions to problems, and improve the decision-making process just to name a few.

With our presence all over the MENA region, we have opened our doors to a mixed culture. Our workforce is from Arab Countries, the sub-Continent, and across the Oceans from different corners of the world, different races, genders, and ages, working all in harmony and synergy.

Lunch breaks are shared between employees and festive seasons like Christmas, Diwali and Ramadan are the perfect occasions to live together the family spirit in a peaceful and positive environment.

Conclusion

Organizations that successfully manage diversity at the workplace and develop and implement diversity plans are bound to reap numerous benefits.  It is essential to understand that a diverse workforce in an organization helps in providing practical and long-term solutions to organizational problems. This also includes sourcing and allocation of resources, allowing the employees to achieve their fullest potential. The different employee backgrounds also attract talent, with original ideas that are flexible and in line with the fluctuating markets and customers’ requirements. Diversity is rightly defined as “the art of thinking independently, but together”!