Over the last 18 months, organizations across the world have been intentionally in pursuit of diversifying their workforce.  This has led to various strategies to attract people from various backgrounds.  Unfortunately, while organizations have been successful in attracting and recruiting people, less can be said about their ability to retain these employees. Why is the success in recruiting a diverse workforce short lived?  It’s quite simple.  Diversity alone will never be enough.

According to a survey conducted by Accenture, 98% of executives believe they are leading an inclusive organization.  However, that same report indicates that only 80% of employees feel included in their work environment. That leaves almost 20% of the surveyed population believing that their workplace does not represent an inclusive environment.  This gap in what leaders believe and what employees are feeling is an opportunity that can make or break an organization.

Diversity can be summed up as the practice of including or involving people from different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders and sexual orientations. Diversity efforts in recruitment is just one way organizations are diversifying their workforce. While this effort should be recognized and celebrated, the reality is that only some organizations see success with diverse workforce.  How can ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment in your workplace impact your business?

Stacey A. Gordon, author of Unbias: Addressing Unconscious Bias at Work, states it best by saying, “You cannot have an inclusive workplace culture without an organization that respects the diversity of the individuals, acknowledges the value that diversity brings to the organization, and actively works to ensure that all employees within the organization are included in the practices, policies, and procedures of the workplace.

Diversifying your workforce alone will never be enough to succeed.  You need to create an environment that appreciates and respects individuals. Where your employees feel empowered and encouraged to show up each and everyday.  Where ideas are celebrated and failures are seen as opportunities, and not career stumbling blocks.  Where you seek to hear every voice on your team. Where status in education or where you attend school does not equate to the position held. When you start moving towards a respectful and inclusive workforce, you will ultimately begin to see a positive impact in employee retention, increased productivity, and an increase in revenue.  These are just some of the many benefits associated with a respectful and inclusive workforce.

Today is your moment to realize that Diversity, Respect, and Inclusion are all connected.  No one aspect is greater than the other.  If you decide to move forward with only one component, your success, if materialized, will be short lived.  But if you dare to open your door to a diverse workforce, respect your employees for the talents they bring, and include them in every aspect of the business, your success will not only impact your organization, it will impact your community.  It will be the competitive advantage that will positively disrupt the status quo.