What does diversity mean?
Whether in conversations with colleagues or when counseling clients, we encounter people every day with whom we have much in common, yet who also differ from us in many ways. What generally connects us as human beings is that we share the same basic needs—for example, we all need to sleep and eat. And there may be overlaps with other people, such as in terms of professional qualifications, religious affiliation, or leisure activities. Yet every person is also defined by their own unique background and individual interests, preferences, and abilities. People are not always able to cope with this diversity and variety; sometimes they feel overwhelmed and do not know how to react and act appropriately. This can lead to conflicts that impair cooperation and place a heavy strain on daily work life. Seminars and training sessions on the topics of “intercultural competence” and “intercultural communication” can help by sharpening participants’ awareness of people from other cultural and social contexts and providing them with guidelines for interactions characterized by mutual respect.
The Dimensions of Diversity According to Gardenswartz and Rowe
The “4 Layers of Diversity” model by Lee Gardenswartz and Anita Rowe highlights a wide range of characteristics that define people. It distinguishes between the internal dimension, the external dimension, and the organizational dimension. The organizational dimension refers specifically to organizations and companies. The circular model clearly illustrates the characteristics underlying these dimensions. Every person possesses several of these characteristics. The various characteristics can overlap and influence one another. What does this mean for day-to-day work? The model shows that a wide range of potential and skills is available within the workforce or work environment. In this way, employees with different knowledge and talents can complement and support one another in their work. However, if differences are not acknowledged and valued, this can lead to problems within the workforce or even with customers.