There’s a lot of talk about the importance of diversification in business. Varying your skill-set increases your value to clients, and potential employers. These days change is the new norm. There is tremendous value in having a diverse skill-set, including both hard and soft skills.
Whether you’re a recent graduate or have been in the workforce for a while, it’s important to continue learning and developing new skills. Gaining a diverse set of skills can benefit you in many different ways, including an infusion of energy and positivity. When you learn new skills, it’s been proven to make you happier and improve overall job satisfaction!
Having a diverse skill-set
Diverse skill sets help an organization spot and capitalize on opportunities that a more homogenous firm might miss out on. Diversity skills bring more inclusion to the workplace. Develop an equity lens to best perceive and support inclusion in the workplace. Having diversity of experience helps organizations remain agile, innovative, and better at navigating risk and management. Studies have proven that organizations with greater than 20% of gender diversity yield higher profitability compared to companies with lower diversity.
Diverse organizations spark innovation, and it has been proven that teams collaborate more effectively. Establish professional growth to ensure different viewpoints and expertise are accommodated and understood. Ensure growth that is measurable, scalable, and continuous.
How can you broaden your skills?
Take classes or consider certifications. One of the best ways to learn and broaden your skills is to learn something new. This could be anything from a cooking class to an online course on coding. Taking classes allows you to focus on a particular skill or area of knowledge. Many courses offer certifications to build up your resume.
Read. Reading is another great way to learn and grow. Whether it’s books related to your field or just reading for pleasure, reading exposes you to new ideas, concepts, and ways of thinking. It also helps keep your mind sharp and can give you an edge when it comes to problem-solving.
Volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and make connections with people in your community. Not only will it help you develop valuable skills, but you’ll also be doing something good for the community.
Network. Networking is essential! Networking educates us on what others are doing in our industry; it brings fresh perspectives and viewpoints we may not have considered; it creates opportunities to grow and expand our mindset; and it can also build friendships. Attend networking events, join professional organizations and make connections; this will also help you stay up to date on new trends in the market. Get in the know!
Practice and share what you’ve learned. Consider a horizontal move to another department in your organization to broaden your understanding of the bigger picture of the work that you do.
Diversity gives your organization a competitive edge. Companies that value diversity and enhance cultural awareness build the foundation for a sense of purpose and shared goals.
How to develop a diverse skill set
1. Get involved in extracurricular activities. Joining extracurricular activities is a great way to develop new skills and meet new people.
2. Why not take on a new challenge? This could involve learning a new language, mastering a new skill or even taking up a new hobby. By pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you’ll be able to develop new skills and knowledge that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
3. Volunteer. Build giving back into your skill set. Volunteering your time is a great way to give back to the community and develop new skills.
In conclusion, collecting experience and relevant skills along the way builds strong careers, develops innovation and creativity, and allows for fresh and new ideas to be explored. Recent trends show companies are actively building on more diverse teams to foster growth. What is your organization doing to differentiate yourself to attract and retain a diverse talent pool?
To learn more please reach out and connect with a consultant.