Boost Creativity: Embrace Diversity at Work

Published on 21 July 2023 9 min read

Why diversity boosts creativity
Create an inclusive culture
How to promote diversity in hiring
Improve team collaboration
Encourage open communication
Implement diversity training
Encourage creative thinking
Measuring the impact of diversity

If you're looking to supercharge creativity in your workplace, embracing diversity is the way to go. This blog will walk you through how diversity fuels creativity, and share practical steps you can take to make your workplace more inclusive. It's all about diversity in creativity, and the magic that happens when different minds come together.

Why diversity boosts creativity

Think about a box of crayons. If you only had a single color, your drawing would be pretty basic, wouldn't it? Now, imagine having a box full of different colors. Suddenly, you can create more complex, vibrant, and interesting pictures. The same applies to diversity in creativity in the workplace.

Here's why:

Different backgrounds lead to different ideas: People from diverse backgrounds bring a variety of experiences, perspectives, and ideas. This variety can spark new ideas, inspire fresh solutions, and lead to innovative thinking.
Diversity challenges the status quo: When a team is diverse, it's less likely to fall into groupthink—the tendency to agree just to avoid conflict. Diversity encourages people to question, debate, and come up with better ideas.
Diversity fosters learning: The more diverse a team is, the more opportunities there are to learn from each other. This learning can stimulate creativity and promote the generation of new ideas.

Let's take a real-world example. Ever heard of the tech giant Google? Well, they're big believers in diversity in creativity. In fact, they attribute much of their success to their diverse workforce, which brings together people of different ages, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds. This rich tapestry of diversity fuels their ability to innovate and stay ahead in the fast-paced tech world.

So, if you want to boost creativity in your workplace, it's time to embrace diversity. And don't worry, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

Create an inclusive culture

Great, you're on board with the idea of diversity in creativity. Now, let's talk about creating an inclusive culture. This means creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and included. It's about celebrating our differences, not just tolerating them.

Here are some steps you can follow to create an inclusive culture:

Set clear expectations: Make it clear that diversity and inclusion aren't just buzzwords—they're core values. Make sure everyone understands what this means and why it's important.
Lead by example: As a leader, you set the tone. Show respect for all team members, listen to different viewpoints, and promote a positive, inclusive atmosphere.
Recognize and address bias: We all have biases, but it's important to recognize them and work to overcome them. This can be as simple as being mindful of our language and actions, or implementing structured decision-making processes to minimize bias.
Value diversity in all its forms: Diversity isn't just about race or gender. It includes age, socio-economic status, education, religion, and more. Make sure your emphasis on diversity in creativity includes all these aspects.

Consider the case of Microsoft. They took serious steps to create an inclusive culture and saw their creativity flourish. They focused on fostering an environment where employees felt free to express their ideas, knowing that their unique perspectives were valued and respected. This led to the birth of innovative products like the Xbox Adaptive Controller, designed specifically for people with limited mobility. Now, that's the power of diversity in creativity!

Remember, creating an inclusive culture isn't a one-and-done deal. It's an ongoing process that requires commitment, effort, and constant learning. But the payoff—increased creativity, better problem-solving, happier employees—is definitely worth it.

How to promote diversity in hiring

Let's move on to the hiring process. The first step to fostering diversity in creativity starts right at the source: recruiting. Bringing in a diverse range of people boosts creativity and innovation. So how do you do this? Let's look at a few ways:

Advertise broadly: Post job openings on a variety of platforms, including those that target specific groups, like women in tech or veterans. This way, you're reaching out to a broader talent pool.
Revise job descriptions: Avoid jargon and gender-coded language in your job descriptions. Instead, focus on the skills and experiences necessary for the job.
Use blind hiring practices: This method involves removing personal information from resumes that could reveal a candidate's gender, race, or age. It helps reduce unconscious bias in the selection process.
Train your hiring team: Ensure your hiring team understands the value of diversity, can recognize their own biases, and knows how to conduct inclusive interviews.

Take, for example, the tech giant Google. They've heavily invested in promoting diversity in hiring. Their efforts include expanding the schools they recruit from and providing unconscious bias training for their hiring teams. The result? A more diverse workforce and a hotbed for innovative ideas.

By taking these steps, you're not just hiring diverse individuals—you're setting the stage for diversity in creativity to thrive in your workplace.

Improve team collaboration

Once you've built a diverse team, the next step is to create an environment where everyone can thrive together. This is where improving team collaboration comes in. Here are some ways you can enhance team collaboration to foster diversity in creativity:

Mix and match: Don't let your teams operate in silos. Mix them up from time to time. Different perspectives can ignite new ideas. A finance expert working with a designer on a project? You'd be surprised what they might come up with together!
Provide collaborative tools: There are so many tools out there that can help improve communication and collaboration. Tools like Slack, Trello, and Google Workspace are just some examples that can help your team collaborate effectively.
Recognize and respect all ideas: Make it a rule to encourage every idea, no matter how big or small. Sometimes, the most unusual ideas can lead to the most creative solutions.
Create safe spaces: Encourage your team to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of rejection or ridicule. Emotional safety is key to fostering creativity.

Consider Pixar Animation Studios—a company known for its creative output. They attribute their success to their ability to collaborate effectively. Their 'Braintrust' meetings, where everyone is encouraged to give and accept candid feedback, have led to some of the most iconic animated films of our times. Now that's the power of collaboration fueled by diversity!

By improving team collaboration, you're not just building a more cohesive team, but also creating a fertile ground where diversity in creativity can flourish.

Encourage open communication

Open communication is a fundamental part of fostering diversity in creativity. When people feel free to express their ideas and opinions, it makes it easier to tap into the creative potential of a diverse team. Here's how you can encourage open communication:

Set the stage: Make it clear that all voices are valued in your team. Let your team know that you welcome their thoughts, ideas, and even disagreements. This sets the tone for open communication.
Listen up: Good communication isn't just about talking—it's equally about listening. Make sure you're attentive to what your team members are saying. You might find a spark of creativity in their words.
Be transparent: Share as much information as possible with your team. This not only builds trust but also empowers your team members to come up with informed, creative solutions.
Invite feedback: Encourage your team members to share their feedback on various matters. Feedback can be a great catalyst for creativity.

Take the example of the multinational company, Google. They have an ethos of 'openness', which is reflected in their office design, their '20% time' policy (where employees are encouraged to spend 20% of their time on personal projects), and their various feedback channels. This openness has led to the creation of some of their most successful products like Gmail and Google News. Now, isn't that a testament to the power of open communication?

By encouraging open communication, you're not just improving teamwork and trust, but also paving the way for a rich tapestry of ideas that can enrich your company's creativity.

Implement Diversity Training

Diversity training is a powerful tool to enhance understanding and acceptance among team members. It's about opening minds to the value that a diverse set of perspectives can bring to the table. So, how can diversity training boost "diversity in creativity" in your workplace?

Break Down Stereotypes: Diversity training helps to shatter preconceived notions and stereotypes. It's about letting go of biases to see the unique value each individual brings. When we see beyond biases, we can appreciate and spark creativity from all corners of the team.
Enhance Understanding: When we understand the cultural, personal, or experiential backgrounds of our colleagues, we can better understand their perspectives. This understanding can lead to new, creative ideas that we might not have thought of on our own.
Build Respect: A respectful environment is a fertile ground for creativity. When people feel respected, they are more likely to share their creative ideas. Diversity training can foster this respect.
Develop Empathy: Empathy is a key ingredient in a collaborative and creative team. Diversity training can help foster empathy, leading to more inclusive and innovative discussions.

Consider Pixar Animation Studios, a company known for its creative and successful movies. They have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion training. It's no coincidence that their team, rich in diversity, produces some of the most unique and creative films in the industry.

Diversity training isn't a one-time event but an ongoing process. It's about creating an environment that values differences and sees them as a strength. Implementing diversity training is a significant step towards making "diversity in creativity" a reality in your workplace.

Encourage Creative Thinking

Encouraging creative thinking is vital to leverage the full potential of diversity in any workplace. So, how do you nurture an environment that boosts "diversity in creativity" by encouraging creative thinking? Here are some strategies:

Value All Ideas: Make it clear that everyone's ideas are valuable. This creates a safe space where people from diverse backgrounds feel comfortable sharing their unique perspectives and creative ideas.
Provide Time for Creative Thinking: Creativity doesn't always happen on demand. Sometimes, it needs a bit of time and space. Encourage your team to take time out for brainstorming and idea generation.
Adopt a Growth Mindset: A growth mindset embraces challenges and sees failures as opportunities for learning and growth. Encourage this mindset to foster a culture where creativity thrives.
Encourage Cross-Pollination: Encourage team members from different departments or functions to collaborate. This can lead to fresh, innovative ideas that might not have emerged in a more siloed environment.

Take Google, for instance. They famously encourage their employees to spend 20% of their time on personal projects — a practice that has led to the development of some of their most innovative products, like Gmail and AdSense. This is a great example of a company that understands the value of encouraging creative thinking for maximizing "diversity in creativity".

By encouraging creative thinking, you can help your diverse workforce harness their unique perspectives to generate innovative ideas, solutions, and products. Remember, the key to boosting creativity is to create an environment that values, nurtures, and rewards it.

Measuring the Impact of Diversity

So you've embraced diversity and have encouraged creative thinking within your organization, but how do you measure the impact of this "diversity in creativity"? Measuring the benefits of diversity can be tricky, but it's far from impossible. Here are some ways you can do it:

Assess Employee Engagement: One way to measure the impact of diversity is by assessing employee engagement. Are your employees more motivated and committed? Are they participating more in brainstorming sessions and other creative activities? If the answer is yes, then it's a good sign that your diversity efforts are paying off.
Track Innovation Metrics: You can also track innovation metrics like the number of new ideas generated, the number of these ideas that have been implemented, and how these ideas have contributed to the organization's success.
Survey Employee Satisfaction: Another simple method is to survey employee satisfaction. Are your employees happier and more satisfied with their work environment after the implementation of diversity initiatives? Happy employees are more likely to contribute their best creative efforts.
Monitor Financial Performance: Lastly, you can look at your organization's financial performance. Businesses with more diversity are known to outperform their less diverse counterparts. So, improved financial performance can be an indirect measure of the successful implementation of diversity.

Let's take the example of global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. They found that companies in the top quartile for diversity were 35% more likely to have financial returns above their respective national industry medians. This shows how diversity can have a measurable, positive impact on an organization's bottom line.

Remember, the success of diversity in creativity doesn't always show up in numbers. Sometimes, it's in the form of increased employee satisfaction, improved team collaboration, or a more inclusive and innovative work culture. Each of these is a sign that your organization is moving in the right direction.

If you're looking to further boost creativity and embrace diversity at work, don't miss the workshop 'Conceptualising Your Interdisciplinary Creativity' by Jarrett Lampley. This workshop will provide you with insights on how to foster collaboration, embrace diversity in your team, and unlock your interdisciplinary creativity. Expand your horizons and take your creativity to new heights with this invaluable workshop.