One of the first times I understood the importance of diversity and inclusion was in high school. Throughout the four years of my high school experience, I was the only Black girl in my Honors and AP English classes. While there were always one or two Black boys in my classes, I always felt singled out. After reading books like “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” I had to bear the uncomfortable conversations and watch my White classmates giggle at Jim, the enslaved Black person in the novel.

Thankfully, after graduation, I went on to attend one of the most diverse universities in the south and never felt isolated again.

From then on, I realized that diversity and inclusion meant feeling safe and being able to relate to and understand the people around me.

Over the last couple of years, the  diversity and inclusion conversation has become more prevalent in the professional world. “How can we become more inclusive?” is a pressing question asked by some of the world’s largest companies.

Some companies are promoting diversity by including a mixture of ethnicities in advertisements or changing their logos to rainbow colors to celebrate Pride Month. Whether or not these actions represent actual change within organizations is often hard to assess. Nonetheless, it makes me reflect on the actual value of diversity.  

Defining Diversity

Before diving into a deeper inspection of diversity and its value to the workplace, it’s essential to understand the term at a surface level. Diversity is “any dimension that can be used to differentiate groups and people from one another.” This definition broadly explains the term, as diversity can encompass a multitude of similarities and differences people bring into social environments, such as the workplace. (Source EEOC Title VII) In addition, diversity and inclusion entails having respect and appreciation for a person’s:

• Ethnicity

• Race 

• Veteran status

• Age 

• Political views 

• Religion

• Socioeconomic status

• Sexual identity

Diversity goes hand-in-hand with inclusion, with most people using the terms together to explain  a sense of togetherness in the workplace. However, inclusion is moreso a relational term and speaks to the nature of a workplace’s culture. Inclusion refers to how a workplace creates positive, supportive relationships between teammates so that people feel able to excel regardless of their background. It’s possible for a company to be diverse but not inclusive.

Diversity and inclusion play significant roles in any workplace. They involve companies creating a safe environment where employees from all cultural backgrounds can come together to provide their innovative ideas and perspectives. 

Benefits of Workplace Diversity 

Now that diversity and inclusion have been defined, it's time to dive into other ways that it can benefit a company.

Here are the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace:

Increased Staff Fulfillment

People work harder and more efficiently when they genuinely enjoy their job. When employees feel well-accommodated and appreciated in the workplace, they’re more likely to perform well in their duties. According to a 2017 McKinsey & Company report, organizations led by a diverse leadership team are 33% more likely to surpass their competitors. 

Increased Creativity

One of the top benefits of a diverse team is the increase of innovation. When a company has a team of employees with different backgrounds, it can facilitate a collision of perspectives, leading to new ideas. With a diverse workforce, an abundance of skills, experiences, and ideas can help tackle solving problems in a new light. 

Helps Attract and Retain New Talent

While it’s easy to hire new talent, retaining them is more challenging if the company’s culture and policies are not inclusive to everyone. A robust and diverse workforce helps keep current employees and attract new talent. In addition, employees who feel welcomed and included in their work environment are less likely to stray.

Attract Value Aligned Staff 

When companies show their dedication to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, they’re likely to be seen as positive and socially responsive. In return, this reputation of understanding the value of diversity can draw in new talent who are looking for a workplace that aligns with their values. However, a lack of authenticity in a company’s push for diversity can cause more harm than good. 

As someone who now works in a very diverse workplace, I genuinely understand the need for diversity at school, work, and other environments. While I'll never forget feeling out of place back in high school, I’m glad I now feel a part of a diverse team. I hope that more companies continue moving towards creating more diverse and inclusive groups across all industries.