Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.
Preparation
Transcript
Nina: As you know, our team has grown a lot in the past year and we feel we need to address the diversity in the team.
Brenda: How do you mean, 'address the diversity'?
Nina: Well, we all know that diversity in teams is a good thing, but it can also be a challenge for some people to respect and value people's differences. We've got a really diverse team here – people of different nationalities, backgrounds, religions, ages … and sometimes I don't feel we make the most of this.
Stefano: Yes, and even if it isn't specifically challenging, many people are simply unaware of the isolation that some team members may feel because they are different.
Brenda: So, what does this mean? What are we going to do?
Nina: Well, we need to create a workplace charter. You know, one that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion.
Brenda: That sounds like a good idea. But will people just see it as something the management team has created? Maybe they won't even pay attention to it.
Nina: I know. That's why we're going to involve everyone in creating it.
Stefano: That's a good idea. We could run some workshops and get ideas from the employees about how we can create a more inclusive workplace.
Nina: Exactly. I was thinking that before that we could run some team-building sessions so they can experience the value of diversity for themselves.
Brenda: Yes, I like that. Many people see diversity as something negative, often because there are different opinions or ways of doing things.
Nina: Yes, I know, but if there's no diversity, then the risk is that we all work in the same way, think the same and see the world the same. This makes it hard to be creative and to innovate.
Stefano: I completely agree, Nina. OK. So, what do you want us to do?
Nina: Stefano, can you look for a successful trainer who specialises in running workshops and team-building sessions on diversity and inclusion?
Stefano: Sure. I'll be happy to.
Nina: And Brenda, can you find a fun venue? Somewhere that is quite diverse itself. Something that's not the usual seminar-style environment?
Brenda: Sure. That'll be fun.
Nina: And I'm going to do some further research into how other organisations are benefiting from their diversity. I can share this with the whole team.
My office is full of diversity, we come from many backgrounds education, interval ages, religion, tribe, etc. It should release creativity and surprising moments but sometimes people force their value on others.
My workplace is not diverse. I mean all my coworkers are of the same nationality, religion (i think) and approximately the same age. I don't even see how diversity could help us in our work
I work in a big TV Company. The second one in Brazil. But here there isn't so much diversity. most of the management are man and no one gay people. There are gay people, but making the operacional work. I hope to see the thing changes here <3
When I was working four years ago there was diversity in position, experience and competence, I believe that if there were people competing for the same place and with the same capabilities the work would not succeed.
My workplace have diversity as for we have different ideas about education, the diversity is good if this is open and constructive, if not way to increase the conflicts if not is a way to obtain power in a place or in an organization
In my workplace, we are totally differents, we have differents ages, religions, tastes and lifestyles. It´s a little difficult be agree in the desicions but we try it.
My place does not contain that diversity, it is just two nationalities, but even that is good, and I wish to work in other places that contain more diversity because that will help me learn more about cultures and life.
I'm currently living in my small hometown, which lacks diversity for apparent reasons. However, I had the opportunity to participate in an exchange programme during my master's degree and it proved to be a valuable experience due to the diverse mix of nationalities. I learned about various cultures, which helped me in my personal growth.
I think sometimes it's hard to work with people that you can't understand because of different culture and sometimes it happens because it is you and you can feel a little bit discomfort. So you always can explaine that and if you can't work with this people because of your personality - you can say that.
I believe in diversity in many obvious ways. Just look for Dubie; it's one of the most developed cities in the world and one of the most diverse. You can see that there is a lot of culture and people from all around the world. Even though diversity in the team may cause some problems with different opinions and thinking, the earth won't even improve without everyone's creation. That's why God created us differently.