40 / MANAGING A TEAMValuing diversity
Understanding and managing people who are similar to us can be
challenging, but understanding and managing those who are dissimilar
from us and from each other is tougher. As the workplace becomes
more diverse and as business becomes more global, managers
must understand how cultural diversity affects the expectations
and behavior of everyone in the organization.Understanding the changes
The labor market is dramatically
changing. Most countries are experiencing
an increase in the age of their workforce,
increased immigration, and, in many, a
rapid increase in the number of working
women. The globalization of business
also brings with it a cross-cultural
mandate. With more businesses selling
and manufacturing products and
services abroad, managers increasingly
see the need to ensure that their
employees can relate to customers
from many different cultures. Workers
who believe that their differences are
not merely tolerated but valued by their
employer are more likely to be loyal,
productive, and committed.LET EVERYONE KNOW
Make a public commitment
to valuing diversity—this
will ensure that you are
accountable for your actions,
and may attract potential
employees who prefer to
work for someone who values
equal opportunities for all.Tip
US_040-041_Valuing_Diversity.indd 40 30/05/16 3:00 pm