Why diversity of voices matters

Diversity in the workplace yields numerous advantages, as each individual brings a unique perspective and skillset. Diverse teams offer a wider range of viewpoints, derived from their diverse knowledge and experiences.

Diversity at work brings success.

A diverse group of individuals in a room generates an array of perspectives and opinions that can drive business success. Collaboration between diverse voices fosters innovation and leads to more successful outcomes, ultimately driving higher revenue.

Creating a diverse workforce is not merely a checkbox item. To benefit from diverse perspectives and knowledge, it is crucial to both attract and retain a diverse workforce. Establishing equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging is essential to encourage people to voice their ideas, thoughts and concerns.

Diverse voices benefit the workplace in many ways.

Diverse voices in your company can allow your business to grow in a number of ways. Here are five examples:

1. Diverse voices enhance creativity and innovation.

When a group of like-minded people come together to collaborate, they tend to generate similar ideas. However, if a team of diverse individuals are put together, they’re able to exchange unique perspectives and spark fresh ideas, which can lead to more creativity and innovation.

2. Diverse voices increase productivity.

When a company actively promotes diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace, it increases employee morale and instills a desire to be more effective and work more efficiently, because teammates feel valued and accepted. A culture in which everyone feels they belong can greatly increase the productivity of your business.

3. Diverse voices improve employee retention metrics.

High employee morale also leads to higher staff retention, because, when employees are happy at work, they are less likely to look elsewhere for another job. By increasing employee retention, you’ll spend less money and time on recruiting, giving you more time and money to invest elsewhere in your business.

4. Diverse voices help you connect to a wider range of consumers.

Diversity of voice in the workplace can help you target a wide range of clients or customers, because your employees are able to understand consumers from all different backgrounds and walks of life. For example, when you have people with physical disabilities on your team, they often help you recognize and address accessibility issues.

5. Diverse voices result in increased revenue.

When you reap the benefits of a diverse workforce by achieving the four points above – better creativity and innovation, increased productivity, higher employee retention, and reaching a wider target market – you’re likely to increase your revenue substantially.

6. Diverse voices are more likely to recognize harmful bias.

Artificial intelligence has built in bias, as it's been trained based on history. When you have a diverse group of people experimenting with AI, your team is more likely to see the bias that exists and adjust workflows to avoid biases that could harm your business or the greater community.

‍