Do you ever get the impression that as workplaces become more diverse, they also become more complicated, challenging, perhaps overwhelming? You wouldn’t be alone if you felt intimidated by the myriad possible differences among your present or future colleagues. My intention with this piece, however, is one of encouragement: you already have many of the skills you need not merely to survive, but to thrive in a diverse workplace! Here are my top three tips.
1 / Celebrate similarities
Sometimes diversity gets mistakenly equated with difference, but the reality is that it has just as much to do with similarity. You’ll work with different generations, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, genders, sexual orientations—you name it!
What’s too often forgotten is the reality that we are all humans who have the same basic needs and emotions. When you encounter someone whose life experience is different from yours, remember to ask yourself, “What do I have in common with this person?”
2 / Know your strengths,
and how to communicate them
Without a doubt, with diversity in people comes diversity in values, which does create the potential for conflict. The flip side of this, of course, is that diverse teams are arguably more likely to harbour unique strengths among team members.
The ability to identify your strengths, and to let others know about them, becomes crucial in this context. What are you good at? What value do you bring to a group? How can you communicate your strengths to others in ways they understand and appreciate?
3 / Become a master of adaptability
As the saying goes, change is the only true constant. Adaptability is a valuable trait in any context, but its worth skyrockets in diverse workplaces. This means being open to new ideas, being willing to change your mind, and limiting the number of assumptions you make about work.
There’s nothing that builds respectability and reputation quite like taking on an unexpected challenge or a new work environment with grace and charm. If that sounds scary, that’s okay! A little bit of fear is a normal response to uncertainty. The payoff is the growth you get to experience by showing courage and taking a risk.
It truly is an exciting time to be joining a world
of work that is more diverse than ever before,
and becoming more so every day. With the above tips, I hope you’re able to embrace diversity and thrive!for more info, check out avant career
