Why is Embracing Diversity a Challenge?

Our bias and prejudice are deeply rooted within us. From the moment we are born, we learn about our environment, the world, and ourselves. Families, friends, peers, books, teachers, idols, and others influence us on what is right and what is wrong. These early learnings are deeply rooted within us and shape our perceptions about how we view things and how we respond to them. What we learn and experience gives us our subjective point of view, known as bias. Our biases serve as filtering devices that allow us to make sense of new information and experiences based on what we already know.

Many of our biases are good as they allow us to assume that something is true without proof. Otherwise, we would have to start learning anew on everything that we do. But, if we allow our bias to shade our perceptions of what people are capable of, then the bias is harmful. We start prejudging others on what we think that they cannot do. When people communicate, they also use these biases or filters. For example, if you know a person as a heavy drinker and the person tells you he was in a fight last night, then you may draw the picture of the person in a bar-room brawl.

On the other hand, if you know the person as a boxer and he told you the same thing, then you would probably visualise the person in the boxing ring. Where these biases become destructive is when we prejudge others.

Simply giving a class on diversity will not erase these biases. Indeed, even the best training will not erase most of these deeply-rooted beliefs. Training can only help us to become aware of them so that we can make a conscious effort to change.

Embracing diversity is more than tolerating people who are different. It means actively welcoming and involving them. Developing an atmosphere in which it is safe for all employees to be different, asking for help if needed, etc. People should not be viewed as weak if they ask for help. This is what helps to build great teams – joining weakness with strengths to get the goal accomplished; actively seeking information from people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Also, including everyone in the problem-solving and decision-making process; including people who are different from you in informal gatherings such as lunch, coffee breaks and spur-of-the-moment meetings; and, creating a team spirit in which every member feels a part of.