Diversity: Culture and Diverse Workplace Essay Example
Sarah
07-08-2011
Cultural Diversity
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences of people in the work environment. It is very important to understand cultural, ethnic, and gender differences by managers and Professionals in a business setting these days. All businesses can benefit from a diverse body of talent bringing fresh ideas, perspectives, and views to the workplace. In today’s increasingly global workplace environment, the ability to effectively communicate with people of different cultures and backgrounds is an essential skill. (Devoe, 1999) In a diverse workplace, people learn these skills naturally as a result of normal day- to -day interaction and corporate teamwork. It is imperative that we all, especially managers, understand cultural, ethnic, and gender differences to have a successful business due to the fact that Diversity will probably be even more important in the future due to the increasing differences in our population.
There are many benefits to having a diverse workplace. Creativity increases when people with different ways of solving difficult problems work together towards a common solution. Other cultures and genders can offer insightful alternatives that one might not have considered. Language skills are obviously a huge plus and are needed in today’s global economy--and diverse workers often have this proficiency. Studies have also shown that interaction with diverse groups of people helps to reduce workplace discrimination. Sharing of ideas, cultural traditions, and alternate ways of solving problems all help employees to become more tolerant of one another and abandon their pre-conceived notions and stereotypes. (Roosevelt, 2001)
While performing the ball and sock experiment, I was put outside of my comfort zone and was forced to see what it was like in someone else’s shoes. I used my left hand to perform daily tasks such as brushing my teeth, combing my hair, and eating. It was not an easy task a first, but using
07-08-2011
Cultural Diversity
Workplace diversity refers to the variety of differences of people in the work environment. It is very important to understand cultural, ethnic, and gender differences by managers and Professionals in a business setting these days. All businesses can benefit from a diverse body of talent bringing fresh ideas, perspectives, and views to the workplace. In today’s increasingly global workplace environment, the ability to effectively communicate with people of different cultures and backgrounds is an essential skill. (Devoe, 1999) In a diverse workplace, people learn these skills naturally as a result of normal day- to -day interaction and corporate teamwork. It is imperative that we all, especially managers, understand cultural, ethnic, and gender differences to have a successful business due to the fact that Diversity will probably be even more important in the future due to the increasing differences in our population.
There are many benefits to having a diverse workplace. Creativity increases when people with different ways of solving difficult problems work together towards a common solution. Other cultures and genders can offer insightful alternatives that one might not have considered. Language skills are obviously a huge plus and are needed in today’s global economy--and diverse workers often have this proficiency. Studies have also shown that interaction with diverse groups of people helps to reduce workplace discrimination. Sharing of ideas, cultural traditions, and alternate ways of solving problems all help employees to become more tolerant of one another and abandon their pre-conceived notions and stereotypes. (Roosevelt, 2001)
While performing the ball and sock experiment, I was put outside of my comfort zone and was forced to see what it was like in someone else’s shoes. I used my left hand to perform daily tasks such as brushing my teeth, combing my hair, and eating. It was not an easy task a first, but using