A team meeting about diversity
Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Nina: As you know, our team has grown a lot in the past year and we feel we need to address the diversity in the team.
Brenda: How do you mean, 'address the diversity'?
Nina: Well, we all know that diversity in teams is a good thing, but it can also be a challenge for some people to respect and value people's differences. We've got a really diverse team here – people of different nationalities, backgrounds, religions, ages … and sometimes I don't feel we make the most of this.
Stefano: Yes, and even if it isn't specifically challenging, many people are simply unaware of the isolation that some team members may feel because they are different.
Brenda: So, what does this mean? What are we going to do?
Nina: Well, we need to create a workplace charter. You know, one that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion.
Brenda: That sounds like a good idea. But will people just see it as something the management team has created? Maybe they won't even pay attention to it.
Nina: I know. That's why we're going to involve everyone in creating it.
Stefano: That's a good idea. We could run some workshops and get ideas from the employees about how we can create a more inclusive workplace.
Nina: Exactly. I was thinking that before that we could run some team-building sessions so they can experience the value of diversity for themselves.
Brenda: Yes, I like that. Many people see diversity as something negative, often because there are different opinions or ways of doing things.
Nina: Yes, I know, but if there's no diversity, then the risk is that we all work in the same way, think the same and see the world the same. This makes it hard to be creative and to innovate.
Stefano: I completely agree, Nina. OK. So, what do you want us to do?
Nina: Stefano, can you look for a successful trainer who specialises in running workshops and team-building sessions on diversity and inclusion?
Stefano: Sure. I'll be happy to.
Nina: And Brenda, can you find a fun venue? Somewhere that is quite diverse itself. Something that's not the usual seminar-style environment?
Brenda: Sure. That'll be fun.
Nina: And I'm going to do some further research into how other organisations are benefiting from their diversity. I can share this with the whole team.
I don't work yet, but I'm a med student at a public university. There's a lot of diversity in my class, but the friend groups are really homogeneous — people aren't very inclusive
thanks a lot, is very interesting
The team when I used to work with, had diverse kinds of degrees, backgrounds, ages and religions, and the work atmosphere was so good. However, I think most of us were influenced to see every situation from the same point of view, then sometimes the meetings were boring because of that.
From my perspective, if you promote diversity, inclusion and equality in an organisation or team is because you are interested in hearing, discussing and building from many realities and you are looking for the best outcomes in your field as an organisation.
very good!!
very good practice, over all it introduces a dificult topic as Diversity.
Now I am studying English.
I want to listen what they say and I want to say what I want and what I see in my daily life
Absolutely
I think diversity is very important because it peivides us with different ways to do the same things so it enables us to save time money and efforts.
I am a studying abroad away from my family and in my university we have student from diverse nationalities and actually it is a very good thing,because we aren't just studying,but we are sharing our culures and believes,and also diverity makes us think creatively and see the topics from different point of views.
Thanks a lot.