Talking about Diversity in the workplace

We live and work in the United Arab Emirates, a country which is blessed to host a number of people from totally different backgrounds. Diversity is a reflection of a society and in microeconomic terms reflects also to companies such as us. Sometimes this is challenging but on the other hand it can lead to many beneficial results.
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First of all it can enhance creativity and innovation. Diverse perspective usually leads to more creative solutions and innovative approaches. Moreover, a diverse team can approach an issue from multiple angles, increasing the likelihood of identifying the best solution by considering different viewpoints. Research also has shown that diverse teams tend to outperform homogeneous teams in terms of productivity because they leverage the broad range of skills, knowledge and perspectives of each team member, this can lead to an improved performance.

It is always important for the team members to feel valued and included, in this way they are more likely to be engaged and stay with the organization, reducing the turnover.

Furthermore, diverse teams are often better equipped to work in a globalized market, such as the United Arab Emirates, as they bring cultural awareness and international perspectives that help the organization to engage effectively. Lastly, that can lead to an inclusive work environment which fosters a culture of inclusivity where everyone can feel respected. This can lead to greater collaboration and a positive workplace.
All those thoughts are easy to say but sometimes they need extra steps in order to be applied.

Various practices which can be applied includes:

• Encouragement of open communication
  
• Promotion of inclusive leadership
• To celebrate the differences
• Ensure equal opportunities for each team member.
• Build team cohesion.

Diversity in overall creates a more resilient and adaptive organization. However it requires intentional effort to overcome challenges. An ongoing journey which in the long term can lead to success, a reflection to how the country which we operate has succeeded and we are grateful to be part of it!

#IMI #CreatingIdeasToInspire