To promote diversity, an organization should intentionally employ a workforce comprised of individuals of varying gender, religion, race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, and other characteristics. To maximize an organization’s success and competitiveness, it is essential that diversity be embraced and appreciated. A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found that increasing the diversity of teams leads to 19 percent higher revenue due to innovation. Additionally, diverse teams are 87 percent better decision-makers than individuals, and provide 35 percent better performance compared to their competitors. Nonetheless, diversity is so much more than a buzzword for offices to toss around. It’s a mindset and an awareness that can differentiate a toxic, discriminatory environment from an inclusive, safe, and thriving one.

No matter where you are employed, every organization can benefit from creating and sustaining an inclusive workplace. Regardless of your racial/cultural background, everyone can contribute to enhancing diversity to improve workplace performance and outcomes. You do not need to have a particular educational background, certification, or training experience to effectively initiate these conversations. Facilitating these conversations may be challenging and may often involve tension, conflict, and fear, all of which contribute to discomfort. Therefore, it is important that you are willing to learn from others and be open to sitting with the discomfort that comes with having this dialogue.

Hence, the following are suggestions to promote confidence in your ability to take the lead and facilitate productive conversations on race in your workplace.

When talking about race, those involved will bring their fears, negative past experiences, and resistance. This first step is essential, yet can be the most challenging. Being genuine and vulnerable can help build relationships with those involved in this conversation and encourage them to be more open. However, many individuals may be initially hesitant to verbally engage in discussions about sensitive topics like this. Therefore, using anonymous platforms (such as Poll Everywhere) to allow members to respond and engage in uncomfortable dialogue may be useful. According to research, using an anonymous platform can promote more insightful reflection and meaningful member interactions compared to non-anonymous methods.

Participants may enter these conversations at different places on a continuum of understanding and, as a result, will have varying attitudes about engaging in this work. Therefore, challenging participants to “go deeper” may help plant a seed in their mind that can potentially lead to new ways of thinking about race and social justice issues. To accomplish this goal, it may be beneficial to have participants split up into small groups and provide limited time to answer tough questions around race (e.g., What fears do you have related to discussing oppression, discrimination, or race?). This pushes them to engage in more in-depth dialogue that can be helpful to promote improved awareness around their thoughts, intentions, and behaviors related to this topic. There is literature to support that participating in small group discussions can increase our exposure to diversity and broaden our perspectives. Even when group members share similar cultural identities, the diversity of experience and opinion within a group can provide room for alternative ideas to be presented and opinions to be challenged.

Occasionally, every conversation about race may not end productively. If negative responses occur, it is important to not take them personally. Participants will bring different attitudes, beliefs, biases, and experiences around race relations. As a facilitator, one may feel defensive when others make you the object of their anger rather than looking inward. Specifically, topics centering on white privilege and systemic oppression may spark up emotions of guilt, rage, and frustration from participants and the facilitator. However, by displaying empathy and authentically seeking to better understand the viewpoints of others, you may promote more respective and productive conversations.

Sharing your personal experiences, challenging audience members to “go deeper,” using anonymous platforms, and allowing space for small group dialogue may assist with making your conversations unique and meaningful. Remember, regardless of your racial/cultural background or educational experience, everyone can contribute to enhancing diversity to improve workplace performance and outcomes. Talking about race should be an ongoing effort and should be deliberate and intentional. Everyone who participates in these discussions may bring different viewpoints and beliefs. However, with time, those involved in these conversations may increase their comfort, obtain useful tools, and develop helpful strategies to promote team cohesion, inclusivity, productivity, and more effective workplaces.

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Copyright 2021 Ryan C. Warner, Ph.D., CRC