Diversity_in_Real_Life

Diversity in Real Life J. Ryan Stewart University of Phoenix Diversity in Real Life Diversity is essential in cultivating an open-minded and productive environment. The ability to adapt to any situation, develop a solution to any problem, and complete any task stems from the diversity of the group involved. This paper will define diversity and explain how diversity plays a vital role in the success of a group. The word diversity comes from the root word diverse. Merriam Webster defines diverse as “being different from one another” or “composed of distinct or unlike qualities” (Webster). The concept of diversity is most commonly associated with the homosexual community and the battle they have been fighting for many years to be accepted as equals with all the same rights as the heterosexual community. While much progress has been made towards true diversity, the battle is far from over. Many more years will pass before both communities can stand as one. Most individuals are unaware that diversity comes in more forms than those seen in the battle of the gays and the straights. Diversity in the workplace consists of a team made up of different types of personalities, cultures, and skills. If each member in the team thinks exactly like every other member of the team and possesses the same skills, little room is left for creative growth and new, possibly groundbreaking ideas. This is where diversity becomes important. A group with many different types of input, from equally different backgrounds, will have a far greater chance of developing the most efficient solution to a problem. The ability to listen to different points of view and consider each person’s ideas to be valuable, without prejudice, is fundamental in building a diverse work environment. The willingness to put differences aside and focus on each person as an individual and not according to labels society has placed on them will determine the integrity of the group. Diversity will therefore affect the quality of any work produced by the group. Many individuals fail to realize the amount of diversity they have surrounding them daily. The vast majority of this nation’s population is made up of immigrants, leaving families with different cultural ties all over the world. By merely being a citizen of the United States, each individual is part of diversity whether they become aware of it or not. The United States of America is one of the most diverse countries on the planet. Labeled the melting pot of the world, few cultures are not represented here. Our forefathers envisioned a country of many different cultures living harmoniously together. For the most part, this is just what happened. While different groups of Americans may see very differently on some topics, the majority of our citizens will stand and proudly claim to be an American. In my lifetime, I have had to the pleasure of being included in many diverse groups of people, both in the workplace and in my personal life. By surrounding myself with many different types of people on a daily basis I have allowed myself to interact with and experience different cultures. Few individuals in this world protest world peace, yet closing the mind and not allowing anything new or different into an environment is protesting in itself. Without diversity world peace will never be possible. If the human race is determined to keep trying to push away or kill everything that is different from what we know as normal, the world is on a long bloody road to Armageddon. In a business environment, diversity is essential in order to work productively and accomplish goals. Meeting the needs of the company depends partially on meeting the needs of individuals within the company. If employees feel they are being discriminated against it will be evident in their performance and work ethic. When considering diversity issues, employers find themselves faced with a variety of issues including religion, ethnic background, sexual preference, age, the list could continue on (Scott Jr., 2007). Finding ways to understand the different cultures and backgrounds represented within a company will promote understanding and cooperation. Education is the first step in producing a diverse and functional work environment (Bell & Narz, 2007). Conducting employee surveys would allow those in management to identify problems and work to find acceptable solutions. Equality can only be accomplished through understanding and continuous learning and growth. The world must embrace the diversity that makes up each and every individual. References Bell, N. S., & Narz, M. (2007). Meeting the challenges of age diversity in the workplace. CPA journal , 56-59. Scott Jr., O. L. (2007). Diversity issues and practices at work in San Antonio. pp. 82-87. Webster, M. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved February 24, 2010, from Merriam-Webster Online: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary