A team meeting about diversity

Listen to a team meeting about diversity to practise and improve your listening skills.

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.

Task 1

Exercise

Task 2

Exercise

Discussion

How diverse is your workplace? How can diversity benefit your team?

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Language level

B1 Intermediate

Topics

equality and diversity

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It is approximately a problem in each Islamic country.I have experienced it a lot I feel for you.

The diverse in our workplace is less than what excepted, we're of the same religion, nationality, doctrine and language, but the only different is ages that made some problems between old and young workers. And the benefit is agreeable.

I am working in a bank, it has jobs diversity and domain diversity, it has a special venue for conferences. the job diversity causes staff always be happy and satisfied. They can promote each 2 year. there is sexual equality in there.

My work place is diverse, I have colleagues with different ages, nationalities, sexual orientation, religion. But this situation is good to me, every day in my work place is very interesting and funny. We discuss different types of topics, points of view and we enrich each other. Our company is very tolerant to all kinds of diversities. Diversity is absolutely needed and helpful for every company with big goals.

Unhappily with this world pandemy i'm unemployed, but in Brazil usually the workplaces aren't thinked to provide a good feeling during the work, some higher companies have a good place to work, but it's not a rule.

My workplace is diverse. We have two different nationalities from two continents Africa and Europe. It is useful because we have sometimes different approaches in order to solve a problem or to innovate. The aspect of the language is also a big benefit for our team.

Actually, my workplace is quite diverse, there are people of different social classes, ages even different sexual preferences, and our team is a great team, all tasks are easier and pleasant to do and we can discuss the many topics without no one kind of problems, as well as, we shared our different point of view freely.

My workplace is diverse. I have colleagues from different ages, religions, gender, race and political positions. I think that the diverse create more respect for different opinions and new ideas.