Meanwhile it is known that Diversity matters and several analyses and studies confirm that diverse teams and companies outperform the others by far.
Diversity improves performance and outcomes due to the following benefits:
- Improves cultural insights
- Wider range of skills
- Improves employee engagement
- Improves creativity
- Reduces employee turnover
- Increases productivity
- Improves company reputation
- Increases profits
Even though there are a variety of programs in place in the meantime, the penetration of women in boards and c-levels is still low and also the payment gap is not closed yet everywhere. There are lots of theories for this – however, I’d like to address one I see regularly when teaching marketing and sales classes. Women tend to feel insecure and don’t speak up.
Knowing that this does not count for everyone and bases on stereotypes – let me share an observation I make often:
Students are asked to present their exercise where they shall implement the framework they just learned for their own businesses. I encounter regularly, that the gentlemen are much more open to stand in front of the audience and share their thoughts then the ladies. The women in class look either at their table or away when I ask a question. When I then force them to present they consistently present in a low voice, fidget and do not look at the audience. Unfortunately, this makes them appear very insecure. Interestingly, the content on a regular base is much more based on sound knowledge. Men, on the other hand, and they admitted it themselves, can present with confidence perfectly being aware of their buzzword-bingo. On top, when we afterwards discuss the heard stories, usually men challenge the speaker and ask questions while women silently listen.
„Leaders who give diverse voices equal airtime are nearly twice as likely as others to unleash value-driving insights, and employees in a “speak up” culture are 3.5 times as likely to contribute their full innovative potential.“
So what is the learning out of it – should women become men? Please not! It would make our world a monotone boring world when we all would need to become alike. And we might not be aware of the elephant in the room assuming we are looking at a grey wall. I am much more calling out to be aware of our differences and embrace them.
Diversity can help us solve challenges and increase our success because of the following:
- Broader view of the market and thus customers: Having a more diverse team helps relate more with the customers and users.
- Better problem-solving: Diverse viewpoints allow for more creative solutions to problems.
- Risk mitigation: Mixed teams with diverse perspectives are more likely to identify potential risks. This greater foresight is crucial for a company’s survival.
- Personal growth: With interactions with people different from yourself, you become more open minded and grow your insights
In the end – we are all unique with our own strengths and weaknesses, with our good and bad, fears and hopes. The world is not black and white – there is a variety of beautiful colours. Let’s explore the world and enjoy diversity to unleash creativity and drive success. Get to know each other. Question why someone is (re-)acting in a particular way? What experiences have formed the personality? Be positive and help each other to learn and inspire – challenge and support. By doing this – we as a whole community – will be able to unleash potential.
Thus – search for alliances, mentors and coaches where you can fearlessly ask questions and get well-meant feedback and other angle of view to help each other grow and push the boundaries to win together.
Watch out for „Different Use of Language“.
Sources: McKinsey Study: Why Diversity Matters / Google:
