Abstract
Diversity offers many opportunities for individual growth and development that contribute to a unique and ever-changing surrounding environment. It is important to embrace diversity and to acknowledge the unique characteristics of individuals, along with their values and beliefs, in an effort to impact decision-making in a positive manner. Individuals must also demonstrate their ability to be tolerant and accepting of others in a variety of ways in order to achieve greater satisfaction and peace within their surroundings. Diversity may be threatening to some people when it is not well understood or acknowledged, but these experiences must be minimized in order to promote greater support for all people, regardless of their culture or personal characteristics. It is necessary to understand the origins and nature of individual beliefs and core values in order to support change and the acceptance of others, while also support these concepts in driving decision-making at a high level.
Introduction
Individual characteristics represent an opportunity to explore the different dimensions of diversity in different ways, as represented by unique cultures and identities. From a cultural perspective, all individuals are born and raised under a specific environment which supports their maturity and progression throughout the life span. As a result, their responses and experiences are likely to be different from others and support a need to further recognize the significance of diversity in the decision-making process. The continued development of one’s cultural identity and background is important in driving decisions that are made and in acknowledging that these characteristics are essential to one’s life experiences and knowledge.
Decision-making has a significant impact on individual development, comprehension, and acceptance of a variety of situations; therefore, it is necessary to adapt to different circumstances and to also recognize that other cultures may translate into variable decisions. This reflects a need to adopt a broader view of human existence in some cases so that individual growth and development are not disrupted. The outcomes that are observed are often a product of one’s environment, although other factors must also be considered, and culture typically plays an important role in this process. Establishing possible solutions to different problems requires continued growth and maturity that are based upon cultural norms and expectations which have an influence on their lives, and these experiences are likely to broaden their perspectives and insight regarding a number of issues. The following discussion will address the role of cultural diversity in decision-making and how this influences the understanding of issues that impact individuals across many different cultures on a broader scale.
Body
Diversity encompasses a number of critical factors that influence decision-making and outcomes throughout the life span. As a result, it is necessary to embrace one’s diversity as a means of exploring behaviors and decision-making and how these impact other people. Diversity involves embracing others and their differences, along with understanding why they might act or behave differently. Without a diverse perspective or point of view, it is difficult to accept and embrace others and their approach to their own lives. Most importantly, diversity supports individuality, strength, and support for others and their individual needs across all age and population groups. All individuals must be prepared to accept, embrace, and understand cultural diversity throughout their lives as a means of understanding why specific actions take place, along with the recognition of identity as a critical factor in this process.
Diversity encompasses a number of complex scenarios and behaviors, all of which operate concurrently in the surrounding environment. Understanding the nature of these differences is a critical factor in shaping why individuals respond to events in specific ways. When diversity is not well understood, this situation poses numerous challenges for individuals outside of their cultures if they are unable to demonstrate respect for others who are different from them, both physically and culturally. Most importantly, diversity, although complex and highly specific, is essential to the livelihood of the human condition and its longevity. If diversity did not exist, human beings would not be inclined to leave their safe harbor and to explore new ideas and concepts, which would essentially limit their outlook on life and their acceptance of change. Under this scenario, human beings would be devastated and severely limited by an environment which is vanilla, dull, and lifeless, one that does not support individual differences, both physically and culturally, nor individual core values and beliefs. Therefore, it is important to identify the different approaches that are required to facilitate a positive and meaningful experience that is grounded in the acceptance of cultural diversity.
Diversity also supports the ability of individuals throughout the world to explore their talents and to share them with others, while also advancing a concept or cause in the process that will contribute to positive outcomes. For example, in the business world, cultural diversity contributes to a high degree of creativity and intelligence that has an impact not only on individuals, but also on teams and their efforts to develop solutions and solve problems. This is an important step towards the discovery of new opportunities and in recognizing the value of individuality in meeting the needs and expectations of a business or organization (Adair, Hideg, & Spence, 2013). In a team-based setting, diversity should be welcome as a sign of strength and creativity, as it will enhance a given situation or circumstance with the introduction of new ideas for consideration (Adair et.al, 2013). This is also applicable in a variety of groups and supports the understanding of the need for diversity in a variety of situations that will have a lasting impact on outcomes. Most importantly, it is necessary for diversity to have a voice within the context of all situations so that it is possible to recognize that there are a variety of opinions and alternatives available to potentially alter the course of a situation or circumstance.
Finally, in order to embrace diversity, it is important to acknowledge the myriad of characteristics, opinions, and other opportunities that have a significant impact on outcomes. All persons are affected by their own cultural norms in different ways, but it may be difficult for others to accept these norms because they do not share them and recognize their value. It is the responsibility of all persons to recognize diversity as a positive force in life and to be mindful of the issues that may exist that have a direct influence on the life span. From this perspective, it is important to emphasize that individual differences and perspectives are a critical component of the human condition and that these must not only be respected, but also accepted by others, even if they are very different from one’s own life experiences (Moran, Abramson, & Moran, 2014). This serves as an opportunity to examine diversity and the individual experiences of others as part of life and to acknowledge that there must be a greater emphasis on the development of factors that will influence not only individuals, but also families, friends, and colleagues in the work environment. This process offers a unique learning curve for all persons and should be embraced as a chance to make a difference by understanding the makeup of other people and their overall needs moving forward throughout the life span.
Conclusion
Diversity poses many opportunities and also challenges for individuals in a variety of situations. Individuals who bear a resemblance to each other with respect to their physical appearance and/or cultural preferences may not always recognize or accept that others who are different from them. As a result, it may be sometimes difficult to acknowledge these situations and to ensure that all persons are receiving the attention and focus that they deserve. It is important to recognize the identity of others in an effort to share ideas and information that will have a lasting impact on their lives in different ways. Therefore, the ability to embrace diversity is an important step towards understanding differences and how they impact individuals and the world in many ways. If diversity did not exist, the world would be much smaller and the impact of specific circumstances would be far less impactful.
- Adair, W. L., Hideg, I., & Spence, J. R. (2013). The culturally intelligent team the impact of
team cultural intelligence and cultural heterogeneity on team shared values. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 44(6), 941-962. - Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing cultural differences.
Routledge.
