DIVERSIFICATION AT WORK

Resistance

In this age of resistance to everything new from technology to politics, it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint exactly why people resist change. The obvious answer is, we resist when we do not see the benefit of making a change.

Comfort Zone

An irresistible Attraction

Our comfort zones are also difficult to resist because we grew up in an age where the entire purpose of life is to make things easier. Challenge has taken a back seat. Diversification in the workplace is more widely accepted because the world has become globalised.

Lack Co-operation

However, pockets of resistance do remain in some companies. These often emerge only after a project stalls or fails completely. The usual culprit in these cases is a deliberate lack of co-operation from the people involved. To overcome resistance to diversity from your staff will benefit both workers and management.

Locate Problem

Unconscious Avoidance

Find the root of the problem. It isn’t always obvious. We are experts at disguising our motives for avoiding genuine change.  We do this because it may mean more work, disrupting relationships, or stirring up issues that workers have not dealt with. Issues could be racial,
gender or worker-rights based.

Allay Fears

Worker Insecurity

Fear of loss of status, position, value and power is real, and this is a common driver of resistance. I may fear that to empower my subordinate could reduce my own power; or if I include you, then the space for me to take part shrinks. This kind of thinking only sabotages a company that is looking to be a leader in the industry. Allay worker insecurity by showing how change is beneficial to both the company and worker.

Inclusion 

Value Ideas 

Get resistant workers to co-operate by including them in company plans. This makes anyone feel valued. Have follow-up meetings to assess the success or not of decisions taken. Encourage workers to offer ideas on how to make projects work better.

Social Activity

Overcome Differences 

We must factor social interaction time into the work week. Inviting staff for a drink after work once a week, as is common practice, is not the only way to encourage this. A sport activity that could include family members often helps workers to get a better understanding of differences in the culture and behaviour of work-mates.

Language

Understanding other Cultures

Encourage an interest in other languages and their usage by offering workshops, where the role played by language in daily interaction features prominently. It could be a playful and comedic workshop that teaches you to see things differently.

Value

Reward

Show the value that diversification brings to individual lives, apart from adding value to the company. Teach staff that to work with diverse people and cultures, only enhances work experience and improves ability to adapt, innovate and grow.  When we embrace something that is different, it becomes familiar thus making it our own. We help workers come out of their comfort zones when we show them how change offers new challenges and new experiences, resulting in greater rewards. It also helps when we show them how getting too comfortable can disable.