4 Simple Ways to Build Team Diversity

So, you want to build a more diverse team, but you’re feeling overwhelmed with all of the resources and not totally sure where you should start? No worries! That’s a totally normal feeling. 

In this blog post, I’m going to break down 2 things you can do today to be a more inclusive and diverse employer, as well as give you a resource to continue the learning beyond this blog post!

Follow BIPOC creators first

Before I dive into today’s blog post, I want to take a moment to show my appreciation for the fact that you’re willing to start this journey. 

Many employers and business owners aren’t able to or willing to take a good, hard look at their business practices and amend them in order to build a more just world. You’re willing to examine yourself, your employees, and your values in order to fight for diversity, and that’s an amazing thing. 

Secondly, I want to point out a few resources from some amazing BIPOC creators that will help you educate yourself on the truths behind the fight for diversity and inclusion. You can find a list of creators here. If you can, please support them financially for the unpaid labor they’re putting in as marginalized folks. 

Commit & Learn

The first thing you need to do in order to foster diversity is to fully commit to anti-racism work, values, and morals. Then, you need to actually learn how to implement those in your daily life. 

I’ve said it before, but I feel like it’s worth echoing: commitment to anti-racist values without the action to back it up is worthless to the marginalized community. You need to not only hold those values, but be actively working to ensure you and those you’re surrounded by are upholding those values through action. 

That being said, “physical” diversity on your team is not enough. If you have a diverse set of team members, and yet your white, male employees are the ones getting the most air time during meetings or are handed the bigger projects, you’re not truly putting inclusion into practice.

When you invite new applicants onto the team, it’s imperative that you actively work to give them a space in the discussions. 

Plus, when you practice inclusive values on the inside of your company, it WILL show on the outside. 

Don’t Seek Out Applicants From Traditional Places

Part of the gender and race gap in the work place is a product of the internet. When you go to place a new job advert, where is the first location you think of to seek out candidates? 

Probably LinkedIn or Indeed. And while I do believe you’ll receive quality applicants through these sites, the likelihood of you receiving an actually diverse pool of applicants reflective of the current population is… slim to none. 

When I work with clients and place their job adverts, one of the first things I do is go into my toolbox of amazing job sites focused on diversity and inclusion. I post to these places FIRST before sending out the job to the wider population on traditional job sites. 

The truth is that your dream candidates are likely hiding on the lesser known websites because those are where they’re provided a safe space. As the employer, you need to go to them! 

Take It a Step Further

Do you want even more simple ways to build a more diverse and inclusive team that’s actually reflective of the population and skills in our country? 

You can download my totally free Diversity In Hiring Guidebook! In it, you’ll find everything you need to know to begin your hiring process with confidence that you’re approaching it from an ethical and moral position. 

 

 

This easy read is filled with:

✔️A brief explanation on what team diversity actually means

✔️Advice for business owners that really want to create a diverse team and an inclusive and equitable workplace! 

✔️What to consider and necessary commitments when striving for team diversity

✔️An inclusion statement that you can tailor to your job ads

✔️Our top job boards and strategies to find the right ones

 

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE!