It’s often said that tolerance of differences is essential for forward progress. However, an argument can be made that tolerance alone isn’t enough. Rather than striving for mere tolerance, society should openly embrace and celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Before considering why diversity and inclusion are so important, it’s helpful to first have a basic understanding of what these terms mean. Diversity in the workplace refers to hiring people from all backgrounds and walks of life. A diverse workforce consists of employees of many different ages, genders, races, national origins, religions and so on.
It’s insufficient to only have diverse employees at the lower levels of the organization. A truly diverse organization will include diverse teams at all management levels, including the C-suite.
Inclusion is often defined as developing a workplace culture that enables everyone to feel comfortable. However, a better definition of inclusion would also include prioritizing the need for every employee, manager and executive to feel supported, respected and valued by the organization and their coworkers. Inclusion is the backbone that enables diversity and it should be reflected in the organization’s practices, policies and culture.
Diversity and inclusion in the workplace are crucial for many reasons. Perhaps most notably, a diverse and inclusive company can enjoy the following benefits:
- Enhanced innovation and creativity
- A broader range of perspectives and life experiences to inform ideas
- Varying and complementary skill sets
- A welcoming environment that attracts top talent
- Happier, more productive employees
- Increased productivity thanks to complementary skill sets and creative idea sharing
- A better understanding of diverse customers and clients