Diversity as a Business Issue
A company’s ability to innovate is its most substantial competitive advantage in today’s rapidly changing global marketplace. Innovation thrives only in an environment of support, trust, and respectful communication. Creativity flourishes when men and women of various ages, races, and cultures openly exchange ideas from their diverse perspectives. Yet without an understanding of and an appreciation for such diversity, employees may treat these differences as sources of conflict. The more energy that is wasted on these conflicts, the greater the detriment to corporate productivity and profitability.
Understanding Diversity
Too often, innovation is squelched when workers are pressured to assimilate an arbitrary corporate norm. Yet an appreciation of diversity does not develop simply by placing different groups together. Employees must first recognize their own beliefs and assumptions, then accept the benefits of changing negative attitudes and resistance into cooperation.