Collaboration and Diversity

Collaboration and diversity are key to success, but many times these values are used more as buzzwords and/or published hiring statistics than they are pursued passionately by those espousing them.

According to research from CEB, workplaces that are both diverse and inclusive benefit from a 12% increase in discretionary effort, a 20% increase in intent to stay, and a 50% improvement in team collaboration and commitment.

Buzzword managers reveal their lack of commitment to collaboration and diversity when they fail to share knowledge with their teams. They also fail when they measure the worth of a team member’s ideas, comments, suggestions, etc., based solely on the person’s perceived skillset, experience, or specialty.

Finally, managers fail when diverse hires are made because the person is diverse, rather than because the person’s total value includes diversity. In this case, their collaborative impact becomes limited and the team/company loses out on a majority of what the employee has to offer.

Successful, sustained collaboration and diversity occur when leaders and managers recognize the true value of involving others throughout the entire decision cycle and when team members know they are safe to ask questions and give honest feedback. Successful and lasting collaboration begins during the hiring process and evolves through employee training and management coaching sessions that seek for improvement on all sides.