| Inclusion - Harnessing Diversity
By Bryan Yingst / April 2007
The concept of diversity in the workforce goes beyond simply recognizing and respecting differences or adhering to Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. To harness the true power of diversity, we must also practice Inclusion.
Through inclusion, we not only acknowledge people's differences, we then work with these differences to create a fairer and more productive workplace by drawing on the cultures, talents, and ideas of a broader group of people.
You see, most organizations have untapped resources because many employees want to contribute their best but rarely do so because their good work goes unrecognized. So, for inclusion principles to flourish, we need to first ensure that we not only attract a diverse group of employees, but that we engage and incorporate them into the decision making process.
This means challenging diverse employees with REAL tasks and the support to grow and develop. Challenge stimulates people to stretch their skills and increase their capacity to contribute to the business. This task requires insight, hard work, and a new level of openness.
Now, we understand that actualizing inclusion may seem daunting in our already busy workloads. But, keep in mind that we can ALL contribute to an inclusive environment by:
Learning about others and their differences with optimism and enthusiasm.
Committing yourself to achieving equality, fairness and productivity between yourself and coworkers.
Being aware of your own values, beliefs and any prejudices that may shape the way you act and react to new situations and experiences.
Monitoring what you do and say by focusing on the impact it may have on others.
Encouraging awareness of and having a positive attitudes towards diversity.
Recognizing success and encouraging advancement to everyone that is deserving of it.
To complete the inclusion process, your organization-wide responsibility should involve regular feedback from employees at all levels. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways including open communication, anonymous organizational climate-assessment surveys, and self-assessment surveys.
Inclusion is just one topic found within KnowledgeStart's Diversity and Inclusion e-Learning product. This training course was designed using the latest EEOC guidelines, policies, and procedures using real life situations.
For a no-obligation, 15 day free trial, please call
1.877.650.0454
or email info@knowledgestart.com
Who We Are
KnowledgeStart is an employee development company which, for the past seven
years, has specialized in online training for its U.S. and global clients.
We are a leading provider of award-winning e-learning programs and platforms
that maximize learning, increase collaboration and retention, and improve
competitive edge. Over the years, we have excelled in
enhancing organizational and individual productivity in topics such as
Diversity and Inclusion,
Generational Differences,
Harassment Prevention,
Business Ethics, and
Substance Abuse Prevention.
KnowledgeStart understands that every decision made by your employees eventually
crosses someone's path somehow and can often have a "ripple effect" across your
entire organization. Even the smallest of decisions can have a BIG impact on
your company and the people around you. Your workplace is an incredibly
inter-connected environment.
Through this understanding and our collective skill sets and experiences with
leading companies, we are proud to deliver innovative approaches to employee
training, compliance, and outcome measurement software.
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