What do you think of when someone mentions diversity? Most people think about a person’s race. I want you to take another approach to it. Diversity is much more than race.
Everyone is as unique as there are snowflakes. We all have different traits as well as our appearance. Every organization needs diversity to be successful. If everyone thought the same way, performed the same way and approached every situation the same way, the organization would become stagnant.
Just as a human body has a wide range of parts that all do different functions, an organization needs the same thing. I recently did a management assessment with my company and saw how I matched up with the other managers. It is an interesting combination of personalities, approaches, management styles and strengths that make up our team.
Some are more natural leaders while others are more natural finishers of projects. Some are better coaches and some are better at analyzing things. The more we can learn how to integrate these diversities into our team, the more successful we will be.
God has given all of us our gifts and talents for a purpose. This part of scripture sums it up well.
Romans 12:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Do not decide to exclude someone from your team because they are different. Embrace their unique qualities. It may be just the thing that your organization needs to grow stronger. Let your team members embrace their uniqueness and what they can bring to your team.
What makes you unique? What are some of the unique talents of some of your co-workers that enhance your team?
