It’s certain you’ve come across individuals asserting that the world has now developed into a global village. However, this statement is not literal, symbolically, the world has indeed contracted. Technology has brought all of us closer together – especially when it comes to the workforce. Hence, it becomes imperative that we deal with diversity in the best way possible. Therefore, we’ve made a list of 5 things you can do to successfully manage diversity:
- Communication is key
Teams are comprised of various employees from all over the world who carry various viewpoints. This is an appreciated quality to have. But it is vital to make sure all channels of communication are open so that you avoid any misconception. What might be well-mannered in one culture may be completely ill-mannered in another. Language is a reproduction of culture. Each language has its own definition of things. This applies to body language as well. In many cultures eye contact is important when communicating; yet, it can be a sign of disrespect in some cultures. Making sure communication occurs freely means discussing any confusion and mishaps too. Also make sure there is an efficient system of salary management using an effective payroll solution to increase morale.
- No preconceived notions are allowed
We truly live in a global atmosphere, supported further by development in technology. While we have witnessed various cultures, languages and people for a long time, it doesn’t stop us from concealing preconceived notions and stereotypes about certain cultures. In order to manage a team of diverse employees, it’s important for the corporates to eliminate any ideas of a culture that they might occur in their minds.
- Foster a culture of teamwork and trust
Having teams that include different people from different work cultures and different work experiences can boost an atmosphere of teamwork. It’s also an excellent way to get numerous ideas together because there is more creativity from different sources. The motivation and thoughts that can derive from working together can be an excellent way to create unity between your team. This can result in teams that create successful relationships. Google did a study and found that employees do exceptionally well when they feel their work helps others. Be it family, community or the world as a whole. This also brings in the much-needed quality of trust. Through high levels of trust, you facilitate collaboration, promote smoother communication and this reduces the amount of miscommunication that can occur.
- Conflict resolution skills
Working in a team of individuals from various cultures and viewpoints is definitely going to bring in some conflicts. Attitudes and habits that differ can create some dispute among the team members. The varied elegance of working can produce positive work but they can also cause bitterness. By allowing the team to listen cautiously to dissimilar viewpoints and explore all possibilities instead of contacting HR, they will learn to deal with dispute. Teaching team members to acknowledge disputes will result in better teams and understanding amongst the team members.
- Ask for scheduled feedback
One of the easiest ways to handle a varied team is to seek out episodic feedback. By inquiring your team on how well you are performing, you open room for improvement. For instance, there may be some in your team who are happy with the prevalent management system, while some may not be. It is important to understand this and make the necessary changes. As with other relationships, there must be transparency and rapport between the management and the employees. Asking for regular feedback ensures that you can always advance your managing style and produce a more unified and adaptive work atmosphere. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask for feedback and be open to all kinds of feedback.