In light of the recent Women of Strength luncheon hosted by the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and the wise words of The Hon Julie Bishop, it seems only fitting to discuss the benefits of a diverse workplace.
The Women of Strength luncheon is one that Melissa and Taylors proudly support each year. Being the chairman of the Toowoomba Hospital Foundation, these events are very special to Ray Taylor. Coordinated by the incredible CEO Alison Kennedy, the luncheon did not disappoint.
Guests got to enjoy a decadent two-course meal with bubbles, prizes, and an awe-inspiring speech from Julie Bishop, who made some pertinent points about the key role women play in any workplace.
The term ‘Workplace diversity’ sounds a lot like jargon. However, in reality, diversity should be a priority for every company. This is not about reputation, nor is it about the lofty social goal of inclusion (though both of these are important). No, a diverse workforce has several immediate and very tangible benefits to both the individual worker and a company.
Workplace diversity means employing people from all walks of life – backgrounds, genders, ages, races, religions, and abilities. Each of these people bring a valuable and unique world view and their personal experiences will provide a perspective to benefit your company. This diversity allows for a slightly different approach to problem-solving. Statistics show that when faced with a problem, women tend to be more cooperative in finding a solution.
What’s more, increased diversity promotes increased creativity. Sameness breeds sameness. When human beings are confronted with things that are unfamiliar, creative thinking is necessary in order to adapt and find solutions. When made to work towards a common goal, the unique perspectives provided by a diverse group of workers allow for more creative solutions. In the same vein, this increases productivity. According to a McKinsey study, U.S. public companies with diverse executive boards have a 95% higher return on equity than do those with homogeneous boards.
A workplace culture of diversity also reduces fear of rejection and improves performance because employees are less afraid of ‘sticking their necks out. Diverse teams see a 60% improvement in decision-making and a 2013 report by Deloitte shows that when employees feel included, innovation increases by 83%.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of workplace diversity. Do not be discouraged, remain persistent and remember your contribution is valuable. In the words of Julie Bishop. Aim high and dream big!