By Dr. Britt Andreatta

Thinking Beyond Diversity

We all know that diversity is important, but without inclusion and belonging, your organization won’t maximize the benefits that diversity brings, including:
    - Innovation and creative problem-solving.
    - A focus on facts and the identification of potential problems, leading to error reduction.
    - Conflict resolution.

When leaders value and support diversity, these benefits multiply, making diverse organizations more successful on several levels. A McKinsey study found that their financial returns are as much as 35% above their industry medians. They experience higher return on equity and higher income growth compared to their less diverse counterparts. And they have better employee engagement and reduced employee turnover.

It’s important to remember that diversity is not just about race and gender. It includes age, ethnicity, spirituality and religion, sexual orientation, political views, work styles, and more. In fact, millennials (who now make up around 50% of the global workforce) view diversity much more broadly than their Gen X and baby boomer colleagues, considering things like the unique viewpoints and experiences that diverse people bring to the team or organization.

Millennials also care deeply about inclusion — which is smart, because inclusion plays a vital role in bringing out the best of members of diverse groups. In fact, both inclusion and belonging are critical for the success of your organization. If your leaders prioritize them, you will gain a significant competitive advantage. Here’s why.

1. Biologically, Exclusion Causes Pain
2. Exclusion Harms Performance
3. Belonging Is the Goal
4. Invest in Training to Shift Your Culture
  
Read the rest at Training Industry.