HOW IMPORTANT IS DIVERSITY IN LEADERSHIP?

How diverse is your leadership team? Does it comprise individuals from different backgrounds to form part of a great workforce? Did you know that diversity in the workplace welcomes a mentality that is accepting of those who are different and is willing to promote their voice. Diversity in leadership brings a depth and breadth of experience and viewpoint which allows employees to relate with the company’s goals, clients and prospective clients.

Having a diverse management team means having a broad and open worldview which in turn creates innovative thinking. Some of the big categories of diversity include gender, race, and age but of late the concept of diversity has expanded to accommodate religion, sexual orientation, disability, economic background and political knowledge. We have seen tremendous value in prioritizing diversity in leadership positions across the board.

Benefits Of Diversity In Leadership

The evolution of the marketplace dictates a corresponding evolution in corporate leadership. This has made executives evaluate if their companies are diverse enough. Diverse leadership prioritizes critical thinking, proficient communication and leaders who are highly efficient in running a team.

1. Advanced company culture and global reputation- Diversity in leadership stimulate good relationships with employees. Many employees feel a closer connection to the company if they see themselves represented in leadership. A company that supports diversity in culture portrays an open mind that is welcoming and sees value in its employees regardless of their backgrounds.?
2. Better productivity and profits- A diverse company attracts a wide range of clients from different walks of life thus profits. This concept facilitates the company's ability to connect with the outside world, leading to more opportunities.
3. Creativity and innovative thinking- Leadership in diversity sparks diversity in thought. Individuals from diverse backgrounds have a much higher chance of developing ideas that cover a broader scale. We can all learn a lot from each other and discover so much if we allow ourselves to experience and adapt to change. Change in approach to problem-solving, communication skills, opinion, and customer service.
4. Fight unconscious biases- We sometimes judge people based on race or the colour of their skin and make presumptions with preconceived notions. We do this unconsciously and without giving it thought. It is with this mentality that we fail to recognise great talent and lose the best candidates. So, allowing diversity in leadership fights unconscious biases.
5. A wider range of skills- When a diverse management team gets hired, a company gains many sets of skills, knowledge and backgrounds. For example, when solving a problem within a company, suggestions of how to deal with the issue will be many thus allowing the team to test them to find the best solution.

In an ever-evolving world, diversity in leadership helps eliminate business uncertainties. A diverse workforce is like a remedy for all diseases. Each one of the employees has something valuable and different to offer to the table.

Is your management team diverse in leadership? If not, you could be missing out on tons of opportunities including higher revenues and stronger talent acquisition. Connect with us today to learn more!

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