Celebrate Diversity Month takes place in April every year. It was initiated in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity of the world around us. It is a time to recognize and understand our differences, while honoring the common essence of humanity. By appreciating our similarities and differences, the month aims to get people to foster a deeper understanding of others, regardless of who they are, what they are or how they live. It is also an opportunity to increase diversity in the workplace.
Diversity is crucial in any workplace, but it is especially important in the technology industry. Diversity brings unique perspectives, experiences, and ideas that can lead to innovation, improved decision-making, and better outcomes for both the team and the company.
By celebrating diversity month, we can promote inclusion and encourage diversity in all aspects of our lives.
So how exactly does diversity drive results on technology teams? Here are a few key reasons:
- Diversity fosters creativity: A diverse team can approach problems from different angles, leading to more creative solutions.
- Diversity improves decision-making: A team with diverse backgrounds and experiences can consider a wider range of perspectives when making decisions.
- Diversity attracts and retains top talent: When a company prioritizes diversity, it can attract and retain top talent from a range of backgrounds and experiences.
- Diversity improves customer understanding: A diverse team can better understand and relate to customers from different backgrounds, leading to better customer experiences and relationships.
Now that we understand the importance of diversity in technology teams, how can we build diversity on our own teams? Here are a few strategies:
- Be intentional about hiring: Actively seek out candidates with different backgrounds and different perspectives that they can bring to your team. Use inclusive language in job postings and consider alternative education or experience requirements that may be more accessible to a wider range of candidates.
- Foster an inclusive culture: Create a culture that values and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. Train managers and employees on unconscious bias and how to recognize and address it. Encourage open communication and feedback and create safe spaces for employees to share their experiences.
- Partner with diversity-focused organizations: Work with organizations that support diversity in technology, such as Women Who Code, Code2040, or Black Girls Code. Attend their events, offer mentorship or sponsorship, and collaborate on initiatives that promote diversity.
Where Can I Learn More About Diversity in Technology
Quest is an organization that supports diversity with operational and employment practices, but also with learning and networking opportunities we provide to the community we serve. While Quest’s BLUEPRINT 4D conference will take place May 8 – 11th, we are excited to bring several diversity related sessions to this year’s conference. Here are a few of the sessions that attendees can attend to go much deeper into the topic:
- Taking Women in Technology Leadership to New Heights – The Women in IT Luncheon, in partnership with the DFW Alliance of Technology and Women (DFW*ATW)
- Keynote speaker: Valerie M. Davis, Patent Counsel at Texas Instruments and President of the DFW*ATW
- Panelists:
Rob Meikle, Technology and Diversity Consultant, Info-Tech Research Group
Mona Abou-Sayed, Senior Vice President, Standard BioTools
Terri Jackson, Senior Director Professional Services, Syntax
- Fundamentals of Diversity and Inclusion for Technologists, presented by Reza Rahman, Microsoft
- Transforming a Workplace Culture with Intentional Inclusion: A Case Study, presented by Veronica Unnikrishnan, 5Q
- WILL Power: Women in Lean Leadership – Lessons from the Trenches, presented by Mona Abou-Sayed, Standard BioTools
- Creating an Accessible Workplace for Neurodiverse Talent, presented by Kellyn Gorman, Microsoft
- IT Talent Trends: Re-evaluate Your Employee Experience from the Bottom Up, presented by Rob Meikle, Info-Tech Research Group
- Implementing Gender Identity and Expression: Considerations, Impacts and More, presented by Rahul Nori, Minnesota IT Services
- PeopleSoft HCM’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Capabilities, presented by Julie Alonso, Oracle
- Unconscious Bias, a panel discussion presented by Quest’s DEI Committee
- Moderator: Madhuri Jha, Director of IT at Honeywell
- Panelists:
Jesse Carrillo, Chief Innovation Officer at Howard Hughes Corporation
Rod McDonald, VP Enterprise Applications at Perot Companies
Mark Thomas, UK IT Director at Hays Recruitment Specialists
- Plus, we will have numerous networking sessions for attendees to connect with others that have an interest in learning more or passion around specific communities of traditionally underserved or underrepresented groups.
Some other organizations that support diversity in technology include:
- Tech Inclusion: Tech Inclusion is a global initiative to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry. They offer conferences, trainings, and consulting services to help companies create more inclusive workplaces.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Technology (DEIT): DEIT is a global community of individuals and organizations committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in technology. They offer events, resources, and a network of support for individuals and companies working to improve diversity in the tech industry.
- And Many More: For a more extensive list of organizations that support diversity in technology, view our Black History Month and Women’s History Month blogs.
Celebrate Diversity Month is an opportunity to recognize the importance of diversity, and especially within our work teams, and to take action to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. By being intentional with our efforts, we can create teams that drive innovation, make better decisions, and create better outcomes for everyone involved.