The importance of embracing diversity to facilitate positive preformances and enriched team outputs

By Marina Baldry Presented June 4, 2013

I. Introduction As a banquet server at a local hotel, Ive had the opportunity to work as part of a team, with a diverse set of individualssome have worked there for 20 years and have their own way of doing things; some have struggled hardships far greater than my own. Ive learned how to work with a variety of work styles and developed relationships with individuals who help me look beyond my own circumstance and frame of knowledge. As communicators who will often work in teams, its important we prepare for working in diverse environments and understand how to let differences work for us instead of against usenhancing solutions and creativity. By the end of this presentation, you will be better equipped \ to embrace diversity as defined as differences in culture, gender, race, background and experience among co-workers in the workplace, in the interest of equality and opportunity for all to be able to contribute, further enhance, and diversify concepts, while improving collective activity. An academic journal titled, A Twenty-First-Century Reception for Diversity in the Public Sector: A Case Study, examined a study of a federal agency in which they concluded that diversity perspectives require an understanding that men, women, and minorities have different experiences in an organization and are often unable to see or to understand the experiences of others. (Vidu, 400) In the study, women and

minorities were exceedingly more likely to report workplace concerns, as well as to experience positive feelings when workplace diversity initiatives were insituted. A onesize-fits-all approach does not work.

II.

Key Messages A critical compontent in embracing diveristy is to minimize ethonocentrism.

Ethonocentrism is identifying ones own culture and circumstance as the ideal to which all others should strive. We should appreciate our own culture and recongnize it as different, not better than others. Waggener Edstrom and other PR firms now relay to their publics and employees that diversity is imperitive if we are to reach our full communications potential. [Waggener Edstrom] is committed to creating a diverse workplace where differing perspectives, experiences, lifestyles and cultures are embraced and respected. The companys business requires it, its clients expect it and everyone benefits. In the communications field especially, we should always be looking to use and appreciate different methods for woking on team projects. Different approaches may enhance the creativity of the whole team. For example, I recently read a blog on acheiveing diversity in the professional world that suggested to develop a strong diversity leadership through continuous training for leaders, so that they stay committed and help resolve situations where diversity issues arise. A good leader dedicated in practicing cultural diversity in the workplace makes a difference. (Asiado, 2013) Another blog post offered tips for smaller businesses and organizations. It stated:

Increasing diversity in a workplace through a diversity strategy not only helps a small business' public perception but also proves essential to success in a global society. Small business owners should keep in mind that they need to include ways to combat employee prejudice in any strategy. (Huebsch) One blog suggests to appoint a diversity officer. Ideally, this person should work for the company and volunteer for the task. As part of their duties, he or she should attend diversity seminars once or twice a year and keep the staff knowledgeable and open to diversity.(Holt) Adding, another way to improve communication in the workplace is to assign employees to projectbased groups to work on large tasks, increasing teamwork and helping employees understand each other. Diversify the teams and encourage each team member to work peacefully with one another. They will find that amid their differences, each member brings a valuable addition to the team. (Holt) Diversity seminars offer employees a way of getting to know one another outside the office in a relaxed environment (Holt). Embracing diversity helps to understand the best ways to utilize and recognize individuals for their unique contributions toward the task or project. Utilizing different methods can have advantages that you cannot foresee. Often upon a second assessment, you can find more than one right way of doing things. Lastly, Realize blame and guilt are divisive, not unifying or productive. We all have experienced privelege and disadvantage to some degree. Reaching out to join cooperatively in the elimination of disadvantages of any kind is a positive way to deal with our own disadvantages. (Wilson & Ogden, 2008)

III.

Conclusion

As professional, ethical communictors and human beings, we cannot succeed without the commitment to an environment that is rich with experience and variety. I hadnt experienced working with people of such contrasting ages, backgrounds and experiences until I began at the hotel about a year ago. I ultimately made friendships with my coworkers once we took the time to get to know one another without judgement. We know how to work together, despite a mix of techniques and ways we do our jobs. [Diversity] requires that we not identify one right way, one mainstream to which all others must conform, but that we recognize a myriad of viable paths to a solution. (Wilson & Ogden, 2008) References Andrade, S. (2010, March 26). 6 advantages of Workplace Diversity. Message posted to http://saharconsulting.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/6-advantages-of-workplace-diversity/ Holt, Mitchell. "Key Tools to Manage Workplace Diversity." Chron. Houston Chronicle, n.d. Web. 01 June 2013. <http://smallbusiness.chron.com/key-tools-manage-workplacediversity-3027.html>. Soni, V. (2000). A twenty-first century reception for diversity in the public sector: A case study. Public Administration Review, v60 (pp. 395-408) Wilson, L.J., & Ogden, J. (2008) Strategic communications planning for effective public relations and marketing. (5th ed.) Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt Pubishing Company,