Administrative Assistant's Update

5 Administrative Assistant's UPDATE Promoting diversity is everyone's challenge By Staff Promoting diversity and inclusiveness within the workplace makes good business sense and it also makes for a rich and stimulating work environ- ment. The Hult International Business School, with campuses in San Fran- cisco, Boston, London, Dubai, New York and Shanghai, operates on the basis that "success in business is as much about cultures and globalization as it is about understanding finance and marketing." How to engender and make the most of a diverse culture is a chal- lenge that takes the combined will and creativity of management and employees alike. A Hult graduate and Hult blogger, Katie Reynolds, has sug- gested five strategies individuals and organizations can deploy to advance that effort: (1) Commit to boosting your own cultural competency� When interact- ing with people from a culture other than your own, which is increasingly likely in today's business environ- ment, make a point of learning as much as possible about their tradi- tions and approaches to work, as well as opening yourself to global events and political developments affecting their homeland. (2) Actively seek out new per- spectives and ideas� Ask your colleagues for their suggestions and opinions related to a current issue or project. Keep in mind, says Reynolds, that people of different backgrounds and cultures may approach business differently from you – and may add real value to the discussion. (3) Treat others how they want to be treated� It may not be the way you may wish to be treated (bowing? a handshake? respect for personal space? maintaining eye contact?) so you need to become aware of and respectful of cultural or personal boundaries. (4) Observe diverse traditions, celebrations, and holidays from other cultures� Sharing their holidays and celebrations can be a team-build - ing event. Your developing awareness of their cultural or religious practices can guide your scheduling of lunch meetings, for example, that don't conflict. (5) Contribute to the cultural diversity of your own workplace� Don't overlook your own culture and how you might share it with a particu- lar food or treat or a piece of apparel. "Getting to know your colleagues on a personal level, regardless of their culture and background," says James, "will help you to find common ground, deepen your appreciation of differences, and promote an inclusive and welcoming work environment." Credit: Photographee.eu (Shutterstock) she says, establishing coalitions of interest. In some workplaces, admins already are members of a union, which can offer support on pay and workplace issues, including bullying. But in the absence of a union, admins can find work together to develop training and other professional de - velopment through events held by organizations such as the Association of Administrative Professionals. "There is potential for informal coalitions when the formal version [such as a union] is hard to come by," says Casciaro. She concedes that "a lot of the work of the AA is being outsourced and there is no stopping that." But she says admins can make themselves "more useful and relevant by acquiring new skills," including social media and project management. Casciaro cites the true story of black female math - ematicians at NASA who in the early 1960s were in danger of being replaced by computers. As recounted in the movie, Hidden Figures, the women learned the coding language of computers and became instrumen- tal in successful efforts to put American astronaut John Glenn into orbit. "Increase the value of the skills you provide in light of changed circumstances, so you are seen as a more precious resource," says Casciaro. Continued from previous page

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