The Value of Black Men in Leadership Roles

It is expected that Millennials will make at least three-fourths of the workforce by 2025 . And about half of them are classified as non-caucasian. This means that what we used to label as "minority," will no longer be within the next decade or two. But as early as now, we can see diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is taking the HR world by storm. It is not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it also comes with entrepreneurial benefits. That said, we have listed eight tips to help you create a diverse and productive workplace. Promote Flexibility A flexible work schedule and setup allow you to draw a vast pool of candidates . Plus, it will enable your business to operate 24/7 without incurring that much cost. For instance, you have employees who work 9-5 in Pacific Standard Time (PST). What happens beyond that? If you do not have a flexible work setup, your business is likely asleep after 5:00 PM. You are not providing products and services, and you are not earning. On the other hand, you may have employed people living in Singapore. This will enable you to operate beyond the usual 9-5. The best part? You do not have to increase your overhead and operation cost, as your Singaporean employees are likely working from home. Create Learning and Development Programs Employing non-Caucasians and people with disabilities is one thing. But letting everyone open about cultural differences and inclusion is another. This is where learning and development programs could come in handy. As an employer, here's what you can do: ●Promote professional development opportunities by contributing to employees' proceeding education. The more your employees know the more comfortable and productive they can be. ●Unite employees to outside resource groups, like people with special needs or BIPOC. ●Make sure your leadership team shows diversity as well by hiring and promoting diverse applicants into those roles. Regardless, it's always essential to establish a great example from the top down. Employees take notice when the C-suite is involved in company diversity programs and initiatives. Create Safe Spaces for Employees According to the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick, unhappy employees are 10% less productive . And this can cause more than $300 billion in the US. Thus, it is imperative to make your business a safe and happy place for PWDs and BIPOCs alike. From a leadership standpoint, here's what you can do: 1.Diversify the leadership. According to HBR research, employees are two times more innovative when there are diverse leaders. That's because they have a representation of their target market. 2.Recognize bias. Develop a leadership program wherein leaders can unlearn their prejudice. That way, they can recognize potential and allow a diversified leadership. 3.Practice inclusive leadership . As a leader, you should create a team where all employees can speak up and be heard. 4.Hole leaders accountable . DEI is more than just a checkbox you should tick off. It should be a core value of your business. Recognize and Celebrate Differences This can be as simple as celebrating International Women's Month and participating in Pride marches. But more than that, celebrating differences is about honoring and commemorating cultural holidays. Some excellent examples are St. Patrick's Day, Eid-al Fitr, and Lent. Welcome Different Voices Make communication lines open in the workplace. This is regardless of generation, race, and role. This can be possible by taking advantage of technology. Using instant messaging apps like Slack eliminates the traditional hierarchical structure. That's because the app allows every employee to address the entire company or send a private message to a supervisor. As such, the company is compelled to allow different people to speak up and be heard. Strengthen Anti-Discriminatory Policies Diverse companies should also put anti-discriminatory policies in place. The basic tenets of anti-discrimination policies are that no employees are denied their rights. This includes equal pay and employment opportunities. It also ensures that no one is treated differently just because they look or talk differently. Mind you, 43% of Black employees in the private sector receive less than $300,000 per year . And more of them are in jobs with less opportunity for advancement. Although there are cases that you need to treat people differently, it's because some need support to achieve equality. And it's not to erode them of opportunities. Create a Comfortable Work Environment Regardless of age, sexual orientation, and race, every employee deserves a comfortable workplace. That said, we recommend that you start with providing a clean and comfortable office. At Maid Sailors NYC Office Cleaning , we believe that a clean workplace can boost productivity. That's because there is nothing to distract them from work. Moreover, an office's pristine condition prevents the spread of disease-causing bacteria. Thus, it helps decrease absenteeism in the workplace. When your employees are working at 100% capacity, the faster you can achieve your business goals. Final Thoughts Producing a more diverse workplace is a company-wide endeavor. So make sure that your managers, human resources specialists, and general employees are all on board. And as mentioned earlier, diversity in the workplace is more than just a checkbox that you should tick. It is an enormous and continuous undertaking. Hence, you should tread with an open mind and leave room for growth. Taking the first step will always be the most cumbersome. But the effort of ensuring that your business is DEI-compliant can be rewarding. That's because a diverse workplace is a productive workplace.