I am a woman of color who did not grow up in this country. I realize that my own diversity of experience makes it easier for me to approach sensitive situations regarding diversity and inclusion. People often assume that I speak with authority because of my gender, color, or upbringing. I try to leverage this […]
I am a woman of color who did not grow up in this country. I realize that my own diversity of experience makes it easier for me to approach sensitive situations regarding diversity and inclusion. People often assume that I speak with authority because of my gender, color, or upbringing. I try to leverage this skill for the benefit of my team and my colleagues, and in this post, I’m sharing some of what I’ve learned with you.
In my role, I deal with a variety of team challenges on a day-to-day basis. In addition to removing the usual blockers such as external dependencies, issues with environments, and fighting waterfall attitudes, as a ScrumMaster I strive to create a healthy environment for the team and boost team morale. And while many may often forget, encouraging diversity and inclusion on our teams is vital to the team’s success.
Let’s start with the basics. When we think of diversity, our first thoughts are usually about traits such as race, gender, and sexual orientation. But, while it is important to be aware of this inherent diversity in people, it just as important to be aware of acquired diversity such as geographical location, introversion/extroversion, language skills, etc.
We know that diversity is essential for an organization’s growth. In fact, Harvard Business Review has published a study proving diversity “unlocks innovation and drives market growth.” It encourages different perspectives and fosters open-mindedness among teammates. Simply put, diversity helps us learn, grow, and be more effective than we would be if we only worked with individuals who are just like us.
So, how do we, as ScrumMasters, encourage diversity and inclusion on our teams?
It is challenging, and often intimidating, to approach difficult situations regarding diversity and inclusion without appearing insensitive. But, I encourage everyone who reads this blog to take the initial step of speaking up if you see anything out of place or inappropriate, even if it is just to ask, “Are you okay?” or “Do you want to talk?” It will go a long way! A simple gesture of outreach can make a person in a difficult situation feel supported and that will help forge good relationships, which is a very important part of being an effective ScrumMaster!
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