Why Diversity is Important for High Performance

In bringing individuals together from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, high performing teams offer a broader range of perspectives when it comes to approaching challenges. For this reason, it is important to prioritise diversity when developing high performing teams. Cultivating well-rounded teams creates opportunities for individuals to learn from and about one another, enhancing their personal and collective performance.

Encourages Creative Innovation

If your team is struggling with performance or has reached a point of stagnation, introducing a fresh perspective may help to get them back on track. Diversifying the work styles and thinking preferences of your team can inspire new ideas and encourage innovation. The HBDI® can be a useful tool in understanding the thinking preferences of your team members, the impact it has on their role and how it affects the way they work together. Used as part of leadership development training, teams learn to recognise different thinking preferences and how to use their understanding of them to work more effectively. When teams are able to draw on the capabilities of each style of thinking, problem-solving discussions become more productive as you ensure that the issue is considered in all aspects. This approach often results in more creative thinking and holistic solutions.

One of the challenges of leading high performing teams is establishing a team with a balance of complementary skills and abilities. By broadening the talent pool to include individuals with varied backgrounds, you can harness the talents and experiences that come with different worldviews. This encourages teams to challenge their thinking and expands their collective knowledge and capabilities.

Building a diverse workplace allows you to bring out the best in your employees and empowers them to meet their full potential. High performing team programs that engage individuals in a greater range of perspectives, improves their ability to work cohesively and face challenges. Your workplace will benefit as a result, by encouraging innovation, job satisfaction, stronger connections, and better performance.

About the Author: The Leadership Sphere

The Leadership Sphere helps small and medium businesses and larger organisations in Australia, in creating value through leadership. The Leadership Sphere provides a humanistic approach to the way it delivers leadership, performance and coaching services. We work with leaders and senior teams who need to gain increased clarity, build capability and ensure contribution at every level in the organisation, and enable a safe, inclusive and  high trust organisation.