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Chahbani (she/her/hers), Low Entropy Volunteer Writer

Giving people or groups additional power, confidence and the ability to make their own decisions about their lives is empowerment. Diversity is the existence of a wide range of unique individuals or objects within a community or organization. This includes diversity in racial or ethnic backgrounds, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, views and more. When these two come together, they enable people to be more confident, take control of their lives and be proud of their own diversity to build a better future. 

Celebrating our differences, supporting each other and being curious will make us stronger and more successful. As a whole, we are a magnificent mosaic; each piece has its own distinct shape, color and cut, but still fits perfectly into the overall picture. Our unity, like a puzzle, is captivating. Although we are each uniquely beautiful, we still need each other to finish the artwork.

As Kofi Annan once said, “We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.” It is my belief that each human being has their own way of tackling a problem, deconstructing it and developing a solution. Being in situations that others in our group did not face may have made us more effective. Our strengths come from our diverse perspectives and viewpoints, regardless of any other problem or situation. They help us approach challenges more effectively. 

This article in Harvard Business Review presents a collection of studies showing that companies with diverse teams perform better. This demonstrates the clear benefits of diversification in decision-making to enhance overall performance. Teams with a varied membership base are more inventive and creative, which gives them a competitive advantage. 

A diversified skill set, including both hard and soft skills, can result from a rich and diverse professional past. People have unique and diverse ways of thinking, and I’ve always used this as a way to evaluate tough issues from multiple angles and offer fresh and creative solutions. 

I have just had the most incredible time studying and working closely with a wide variety of people in scrum groups, particularly when they come from different professional backgrounds and countries. We are able to have more in-depth conversations and gain a deeper level of insight, which increases our collaboration and efficiency. It also enables us to come up with creative solutions to problems. 

From my own experience, I can say that being fluent in multiple languages has enabled me to communicate effectively across cultural barriers. I can have smooth conversations, pick up on people’s histories and cultures, and communicate with them easily. Getting to know a new country is never easy, because you must take your own path, adapt to pronunciation and comprehend habits. Language comprehension enables others to better understand your culture, perspective and ideas, expanding your reach. 

Before, everything was either black or white to me. I never thought I could see or experience things differently. This mindset gave me a judgmental personality, which I had to constantly readjust. But diversity gave me a larger perspective and allowed me to learn a lot and see through a wider spectrum. We are like a rainbow—each color is bright on its own, but together, they create a beautiful harmony. 

Accepting diversity also requires constant effort. It involves learning about different cultures, being open to new experiences and challenging our own biases. In doing so, we create an environment where each person is valued and feels meaningful. It’s important to create a safe space where people can be themselves and thrive. Our lives are improved and organizations flourish when diversity and inclusion are actively embraced. Diversity-based empowerment is not only an attractive goal, it’s also an excellent strategy to get there. 

If we acknowledge and embrace our own differences, we will all prosper in a multicultural environment. As a consequence, a powerful, skilled community will grow. Together, let’s commit to valuing our individuality and supporting each other. By combining our strengths, we can build a better future for everyone. 

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S Chahbani has pursued several career paths over the past decade. Her purpose in writing is to share her thoughts and experiences with others in her own words. Sharing is caring.