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.
Diversity is an important theme in the corporate world. Each country has its own way of discussing this subject. For example, in Brazil, corporate diversity is also about creating conditions for different people to be hired, such as adopting different hiring criteria.
The last company I worked with, the area where we work is an "open area" like all desks open to each other, there is a wall between one desk and another, and around thirty per cent of emplyess theier are from different cultures and backgrounds. So that was how the company achieved diversity, different cultures, religions, ages and so on.
My teamwork is diverse, which allows us to learn about different cultures and points of view, and to solve problems in different ways.
If I join the team, the team’s diversity will grow because I bring a different culture and perspective.
I don't work anywhere. i am student and live in student dormitory. there are a lot people that came from difference cities and also foreigns students that they came from africa Asia. it help me to learn about different cultures in worlds.
Actually, working with people from different cultures is a great opportunity to exchange our concepts and thoughts, by working together we can create something valuable.
Well, it's very interesting to work with different people and cultures. We can learn a lot. But this can become a problem if the team doesn't receive training. Because interpersonal relationship is the most challenging aspect, even more so than task execution.
“I’m in my 20s and my co-worker is in her 30s. We have an age gap, different ideas, and different work styles, but we communicate well, adjust to each other, and still achieve our organization’s goals.”
I really want to work in a global workplace where there is diversity.
The diversity gives different points of views and help for searching solutions and effectively.