The UK is unarguably a multicultural society with a diverse population of people with differing identities, values and traditions. However, multiculturalism can often be seen as a benchmark within an organisation, and the benefits forgotten.
Promoting and integrating different cultures leads to new innovations, fosters rich communication and reaches a wider audience. By fully embracing multiculturalism, organisations increase their sense of wellbeing, fun and solidarity, and help employees feel more engaged with the wider world.
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions defines multiculturalism as the co-existence of diverse cultures, where culture includes racial, religious, or cultural groups and is manifested in customary behaviours, cultural assumptions and values, patterns of thinking, and communicative styles.
According to the United Nations, cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life.
Over the past year, conversations about diversity and inclusion have expanded and deepened across the world. Communities and corporations have stepped up intention and action-oriented work to foster more inclusion and diversity at all levels.
However, it is critical not to mistake inclusion for sameness, and to retain the need to understand and celebrate diversity for what it is.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development gives us an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and of the people that form our communities. For organisations, this ongoing dialogue is critical to create space for safe conversation, authenticity and individuality. Here are four tips to help organisations develop a more positive mindset so that multiculturalism is celebrated rather than just a target to reach.
1. Encourage conversations
Encourage conversations about individual experiences and identities. It is okay to be unique and have different experiences, and there is joy in creating space for these experiences to be shared and understood. Team leaders can be especially impactful here by inviting team members to share their perspectives during brainstorming or strategy sessions. Showing how our views have been shaped by our experiences is a great way to foster inclusion and understanding, especially for those from underrepresented communities.
2. Celebrate diversity
This can be tricky if it is seen as a tick-box exercise. However, genuinely tapping into events and activities that mean a lot to your people can be a powerful tool for motivation and belonging. Find authentic ways to celebrate cultural diversity and weave them into the fabric of the organisation's culture. Celebrations do not have to be large; thoughtful recognition of culturally relevant events, with space for those who want to take part, can be just as powerful.
3. Role modelling
Organisational culture is shaped in part by how leaders react, what they prioritise and what they pay attention to. Much of how your people respond to diversity will be shaped by how leaders respond. Inclusive language that signals valuing difference shows this is something your organisation believes in. If people sense leaders are not on board, they will adopt a lacklustre attitude too. Notice how well leaders engage with employee resource groups: how visible they are, and whether they stay for the whole event or simply pop in. It all starts with leadership, and too often ends with leadership.
4. Leveraging multiculturalism
Inclusion means welcoming and engaging difference. Many organisations do well at welcoming diversity, but leveraging it is harder. Rather than having diversity for its own sake, invite diverse perspectives into decision-making to bring its power to life. Perhaps the best way to celebrate multiculturalism is to use it: to make your solutions more inclusive, tap into new markets, explore new opportunities and, in the process, build an inclusive, inspiring work culture that enables everyone to be their best.