Last week, as I’m sure you’ve heard, a Google engineer had his very own Jerry Maguire moment. He penned a 3,000-word memo diving deep into gender biases, and (I’m generalizing here) concluding that biological differences explain why there isn’t equal representation of women in tech and leadership positions. Apparently, according to “Jerry”, women are more agreeable and strive for work-life balance, while men have a higher drive for status and a higher tolerance for stress. Who knew!?   I won’t get into my stance on this memo. Let’s just say I was raised by a strong, independent woman, and I work in an industry dominated by ambitious, brilliant, and insanely capable woman. ‘Nuff said.   However, at a time when diversity and inclusion is at a tipping point – not just in Silicon Valley, but across our country – it’s a topic that warrants healthy discussion in the workplace. Sadly, many companies view D&I as merely a box to check, completely overlooking the powerful benefits to be gained from employing and empowering a diverse workforce.   Perhaps you need some convincing…or maybe you need to do some convincing within your own organization. Here are just a few advantages of diversity in the workplace:   

1. Diversity breeds innovation. Working with people with different backgrounds, experiences and skills brings fresh, new perspectives to the table. Research has consistently shown that diverse teams are more creative and innovative, and have higher customer-satisfaction ratings.
2. Diversity improves the employee experience. Employees are more likely to feel comfortable and happy in an environment where inclusivity is a priority. Equality in the workplace encourages workers from all backgrounds to succeed and advance.
3. Diversity opens doors for new business. In an increasingly globalized economy, a diverse workforce can help grow your business to global markets. Hiring individuals with bilingual skills, who understand cultural nuances and global business practices is a huge value-add for any business.
4. Diversity opens up the talent pool. A company that embraces diversity opens itself up to a wider range of candidates. As the number of applicants for each vacancy rises, the chances of finding an exceptional candidate increases too!