In Sesotho, we say “Ho tsamaea ke ho bona”. Loosely translated it means that by going to and seeing different places, one gains experience.
It is only through experiencing that which is different to what we know that we are truly enlightened. And one of the best places for this to happen is the workplace.
Working with people from different backgrounds, places and upbringings enriches us immensely. We can learn so much from our colleagues – different cultures, how they do things as individuals, why they approach things in a certain way.
A diverse workplace offers the opportunity to learn acceptance as well as tolerance; it teaches respect for fellow human beings and embracing that which is different.
Says Flow CEO Tara Turkington, “Diversity is integral to keeping any company dynamic, strong and geared for the future.”
A diverse workplace also needs to prioritise communication, to ensure there’s no cross-cultural or linguistic misunderstanding among colleagues and friends at work because of perceptions.
But it’s not just about what we gain as individuals. Businesses benefit greatly from diversity – a melting pot of people from different walks of life means there is always a fresh approach to tackling business problems.
Diversity stimulates innovation and drives corporations to excel, because there’s no groupthink or established norms that hinder finding solutions.
As Flow chairperson Bheki Shongwe points out: “Our diversity at Flow gives us strength and a perspective that ensures we continuously deliver our services at the highest level.”
Diversity also requires the leadership of an organisation to be actively involved to ensure an accommodating environment.
“At Flow, we are constantly aware of building a team that is diverse in age, race, gender, cultural background and even personality. For in building diversity, we build our own humanity, and likewise, in honouring humanity, we celebrate diversity,” says Tara.
It is also important when working in a diverse environment not to impose your way of being on others. At Flow, Bheki makes it clear that we “need to be a reflection and an appreciation of who we are as a united South African people”.
Appreciating others means that we teach, learn, accept and tolerate in a diverse environment, without ever trying to impose ourselves on others. This allows us to develop and grow as individuals, and embrace the best possible solutions.
