Diversity: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Written By: Jalauna Phillips, Community Lead at Diverse Network

The word “diversity” as we know has not always been at the forefront of business in America. Despite the recent boom in trainings and seminars, the push for diversity in the workplace began in the mid 1960’s when affirmative action was first introduced.

Even then, employers sat through excruciatingly long trainings, which did more harm than good. After the 2016 election and even more so after the 2020 summer protests, businesses have made it one of their top priorities to ensure their workplace is up to date on current diversity trends. Unfortunately, between fake news and centuries of racism, diversity has left a misconstrued taste in everyone’s mouth.

So, in hopes to rectify the tasteless term, we must first define it.

At the Diverse Network, we believe that diversity is a combination of our differences and uniqueness that make us who we are. A spectrum that includes our backgrounds, personality, life experiences and beliefs. This ultimately shapes our values and perspectives of the world.

THE GOOD…

At first glance, it may seem like a mouthful but when you pick it apart and apply it to how we envision society, it is evident that diversity is the best thing this world could have. There are numerous benefits of diversity in the workplace. Some including higher productivity rates, increased creativity, higher cultural awareness, increased profits, improved workplace environment and so much more! (Sundiatu Dixon-Fyle, 2020) But it doesn’t start there.

Diversity in the workplace starts with diversity in the hiring process.

From reviewing resumes to interviews. If employers want better for their businesses, they must do the work to ensure every step of their hiring and onboarding process is inclusive to the professionals in the diverse talent pool.

THE BAD…

This doesn’t always get the intended result. Affirmative action has created what some like to call, “diversity quotas”, meaning some companies hire minorities just to meet a set number that qualifies their business as “diverse” (The Wake, 2018). Yes, the diversity is there, but the inclusion is lost in the numbers. Having a “black” or “queer” or “older” employee is not diversity if that is all they are limited to. Inclusion is inviting the “other” into the room and making them apart of the team so that there is no longer and us vs. them mentality.

THE UGLY…

In our Podcast with Maykell Ariaca on his journey from Nicaragua to the U.S., we discuss his story of a time when he had the opportunity to be promoted but because of diversity quotas within that company, he was overlooked. Check out our Podcasts for more on this story!

This isn’t the first story we’ve heard, and it definitely will not be the last but that is why the Diverse Network advocates for Diversity and Inclusion.

Diversity is having the different ingredients; inclusion is the beauty all of them coming together.

The goal of diversity in the workplace is to increase the number of perspectives and skill sets that are brought to the table to make the business better, not to check off boxes.

Diversity is not some monster that business must defeat to become successful. Diversity is the universal key to achieving the most successful business model possible - an environment where people can be themselves and add value because of it, is a place where one will thrive. In synergy, when one part thrives, the whole thrives. 

It is the Diverse Networks goal to create a diverse and inclusive community where each part is given the space to thrive so in turn, we can all thrive together.   

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