You perform better when you are slightly uncomfortable
A diverse workplace has several advantages. But also pitfalls. Notice the invisible differences.
Haven’t been on diversity training with the office yet? Your own unconscious prejudices not yet tested? Then you miss the boat. There is an endless choice of courses. Diversity is hot.
That has changed quite a bit since the 1950s and 1960s, when working was primarily a matter for white men. In 2019, the Dutch workforce is considerably more varied. “Although you still see few really diverse organizations,” says Karima Belhaj, change manager and long responsible for diversity and inclusion at a large bank. “Especially if you look at top management.”
But why should we want that diverse workplace? Research shows that people in homogeneous teams feel more confident and have the idea of being more efficient than people in various teams. Those who are not contradicted come to conclusions faster. However, you do the best work if you are slightly uncomfortable, because the views are chafing, says Esther Mollema regularly in the lectures and diversity training she gives. According to Mollema, who is hired by organizations such as ABN Amro, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and also NRC, people in various teams are smarter, more creative, more involved and show a lower turnover.
Read the whole article on NRC.nl
Source: NRC Author: Ykje Vriesinga