Leaders of many small and large organizations are beginning to realize that cultural diversity in their workplace is an essential element when it comes to profits and productivity. They also realize that it should be embraced with open arms by everyone in the organization.
To manage cultural diversity effectively certain strategies have to be implemented.
Here are some of the ideas that need to be employed:
Creating Awareness: The first step to having a true diversity/cultural sensitivity in the workplace is to create awareness . Once this awareness is fully entrenched from the bottom to the top management, only then important steps can then be taken to implement solutions to make the workplace more welcoming and harmonious. It is vital to understand our own biases, stereotyping and cultural differences.
Positive Attitude: One of the most significant factors in the workplace is the positive attitude of all the staff members. Without the proper attitude very little can be accomplished. Appropriate professional attitude allows individuals to examine their beliefs and cultural differences and also understand where those ideas have come from. Let’s face it, practically everyone one of us has biases towards different people and cultures and, once we understand our own views only then our thinking begins to change for the better.
Knowledge: Various scientific studies have highlighted that often our values and beliefs about equality and fairness may be incoherent with behavior. And often many of us are not even aware because our ways of thinking have been ingrained in our minds for a long time. In today’s changing business climate, it is crucial to know about other cultures, whether this is religious events, communication styles or just how business is conducted. We need to focus more on our vast talents, similarities and less on differences, which ultimately makes the workplace more harmonious.
Aptitude: The objective of any training is to become aware, change attitudes and gain better knowledge for all employees, but especially for leaders who steer the organizations towards greater heights in our changing and more competitive business world. To manage a diverse workforce that is derived from various cultures is not easy, but it needs to be done from a competitive perspective. This will take resources, effort and patience!
Leaders of many small and large organizations are beginning to realize that cultural diversity in their workplace is an essential element when it comes to profits and productivity. They also realize that it should be embraced with open arms by everyone in the organization.
To manage cultural diversity effectively certain strategies have to be implemented.
Here are some of the ideas that need to be employed:
Creating Awareness: The first step to having a true diversity/cultural sensitivity in the workplace is to create awareness . Once this awareness is fully entrenched from the bottom to the top management, only then important steps can then be taken to implement solutions to make the workplace more welcoming and harmonious. It is vital to understand our own biases, stereotyping and cultural differences.
Positive Attitude: One of the most significant factors in the workplace is the positive attitude of all the staff members. Without the proper attitude very little can be accomplished. Appropriate professional attitude allows individuals to examine their beliefs and cultural differences and also understand where those ideas have come from. Let’s face it, practically everyone one of us has biases towards different people and cultures and, once we understand our own views only then our thinking begins to change for the better.
Knowledge: Various scientific studies have highlighted that often our values and beliefs about equality and fairness may be incoherent with behavior. And often many of us are not even aware because our ways of thinking have been ingrained in our minds for a long time. In today’s changing business climate, it is crucial to know about other cultures, whether this is religious events, communication styles or just how business is conducted. We need to focus more on our vast talents, similarities and less on differences, which ultimately makes the workplace more harmonious.
Aptitude: The objective of any training is to become aware, change attitudes and gain better knowledge for all employees, but especially for leaders who steer the organizations towards greater heights in our changing and more competitive business world. To manage a diverse workforce that is derived from various cultures is not easy, but it needs to be done from a competitive perspective. This will take resources, effort and patience!
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