Diversity on the Job

Imagine an organization where everyone is the same. People have the same opinions. They're all close in age. Their backgrounds are similar. They even have the same political and religious beliefs. Would you want to work there?Of course, such a company probably doesn't exist in real life. And even if it did, few people would want to work there. Diversity makes things interesting. Interacting with people who offer fresh new perspectives can teach you how to broaden your horizons and find creative ways to solve problems. A diverse workplace can even help you identify new markets, products, or business opportunities. Diverse groups are less likely to get stuck in routines and groupthink. In other words, diversity is good for business!Because diversity is so important, understanding it is crucial, not just for the HR Department, but for anyone who works in a modern global company. This course outlines the importance of diversity in the workplace: You'll discover how the concept of diversity is constantly changing and the resulting myths surrounding it. You'll also find out how diversity can benefit not only your organization, but you as an individual. Finally, the course discusses some of the challenges and barriers to diversity in the workplace and ways you can overcome them. Developing diversity isn't always easy, but the benefits far outweigh the effort required. If your company wants to achieve success in the changing marketplace and explore new sources of competitive advantage, diversity should be one of its priorities. In today's global economy, people of all ages, races, religions, cultures, and backgrounds work together - in the same work environments and across worldwide electronic networks. And with the availability of a much larger talent pool, nearly all organizations are working to harness the promise of diversity - that increased creativity and synergy are forged when people of differing talents, ideas, and backgrounds work together. But diversity comes with problems too. Whether you're dealing with a teammate from another country or a client with a different educational background, communications are complicated. Misunderstandings and frustrations are the order of the day when people from different backgrounds apply their own behavioral standards and expectations to each other. For you to succeed in a diverse environment, you must be able to work well with others who aren't like you. The three topics in this course deal with three different aspects of diversity: Self-awareness and Diversity, Embracing Diversity, and Communicating in a Diverse Setting. Self-awareness and DiversityThe first topic presents the importance of self-awareness in succeeding in a diverse environment. You'll learn about some tips for determining your core values, core beliefs, and biases, as well as for taking control of your self-talk. Embracing DiversityThe second topic presents some methods you can use to work successfully with people from different backgrounds. Methods include developing a nuanced world view and investigating the rationale for behaviors that may seem strange to you. This topic also covers actions you can take to become a diversity advocate. Communicating in a Diverse SettingThe third topic presents some techniques for communicating effectively to ensure your message gets across to people who may communicate very differently than you do. Diversity is important - and it's becoming more important by the day. Take to heart what you learn in this course. By embracing diversity, you're preparing for the future