Diversity in the workplace means recognition of the variety of differences among workers across many different dimensions, including race, culture, age, or gender. Diversity has substantial benefits for an organization’s culture and employees inluding generating a profit for companies. Diversity allows companies to adopt a different lens to solve challenges, operate the organization and keep it strong. If you have multiple people thinking the same way, you don’t really grow or innovate.

One of the benefits of Diversity in the workplace is that it promotes creativity. Instead of relying on one homogenous group for input, when it’s time to solve problems, the unique perspectives of individuals on her team. The best part of working on a team with people who represent different ages, personalities and backgrounds is the mixture of ideas they bring. Teams are a melting pot of ideas where each person offers a different special ingredient.

Also, diversity isn’t just about how people look but also skills and experience, which can really impact how teams serve their customer base. Moreover, diversity in the workplace is a catalyst for professional development. This is more of an unexpected benefit, but it’s worth noting. It is diffucult to for companies to be successful without engaging with people who have different perspectives and ways of thinking. A diverse team challeng people to think differently. It makes it possible for one to learn from different people on the frontlines of my team all the way up to my senior leaders.

Creating a more diverse workplace requires strategic action, especially if your company is in the early stages of building diversity campaigns and initiatives, such as a Diversy, Equity and Inclusion Council. Whether you’re a diversity and inclusion manager, recruiter, business leader or diversity advocate, try one these expert strategies to create a workplace where employees from underrepresented groups feel valued, seen and heard. APA