3 Reasons You Need Diversity in Your Workplace

Written by: Alyse Tucker-Bounds

It’s not a new concept. Being around people that are different from us is scientifically proven to make us better and smarter workers. 

But why is it so difficult to cultivate social diversity? And what really are the benefits of having difficult conversations and breaking up the notorious and homogeneous “boys club” that is still the majority of the business world in the United States? 

Ever wonder why so many businesses are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on diversity campaigns? Or have you wondered what exactly a “Diversity and Inclusion” leader does for a company? Here are 3 reasons why you need diversity in your workplace.

1) Gender and Racial Diversity Encourages Better, Broader Thinking

Innovation and new ideas are leading in the business world today. In a world governed by technology, we have to keep coming up with new ways to communicate with our audiences. 

The best way to cultivate new ideas is by diversifying the voices at the table. 

In multiple studies at Stanford University, students were found highly more likely to come up with the most creative and compelling ways to solve a single business problem simply because the group contained racial and gender diversity. 

Just the act of adding different opinions into the mix of problem solvers helped the students cultivate better, smarter answers to their business problems.

2) One Word: Empathy

Our company, the Virtual Marketing Directors, spends a great deal of time writing powerful and engaging content with the StoryBrand framework. 

A framework proven to communicate with potential clients in a compelling way that is guaranteed to bring success to any company. But how do we do that? 

Largely through empathy. 

By really getting into the mind of the consumer and making them the hero of their own story. 

What better way than through diverse leadership can we understand all of the issues that any potential client will face? It is through a team fueled by empathy from all kinds of people that really know what their client is facing that you will reach the broadest audience. 

Imagine if you have a client that is struggling to communicate to an audience specifically with disabilities. With a member on your team that closely relates to the disabled community or even has a disability, you can learn to speak and communicate their business in a way that only someone who is a part of that community can understand.

3) You Might just learn something

One of the greatest benefits to diversity in the workplace is the opportunity to learn about different frameworks for understanding the world. 

A business with the understanding that “not all people think the same or have the same values” can begin to appreciate the diversity that exists all over the world. 

The vacuums of similarities that can happen in the workplace are actually the most inaccurate picture of reality. 

The closer we get to a more diverse workplace, the more realistic our world views, and our intrinsic values as a company can become. A great tool businesses can use for understanding the diverse needs of their team is by using the Enneagram evaluation. 

The nine personality types can help you understand how your team thinks, and how you can work together to be better. Next time you are taking a break ask your colleague what their enneagram number is, and see if you can implement the test in your next team-building activity.

So if you value innovation, empathy for your clients, and having a realistic view of the business world, maybe it is time to look at your team holistically and find a new way to diversify.