Question

Which of the following statements is true about increasing gender, age, and ethnic diversity in the workplace?

a) Workplace diversity decreases the need for social intelligence.
b) It has had little effect on communication in the workplace.
c) All people within a business share standardized notions of business and communication.
d) The requirement for cultural agility in workplace communication has increased significantly.
e) Communication in businesses decreases as diversity increases.

Answer 1

The true statement about diversity in the workplace is that d) the requirement for cultural agility in communication has significantly increased, as diversity can enhance teamwork and performance.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the statements provided regarding the impact of increasing gender, age, and ethnic diversity in the workplace, the one that holds true is that the requirement for cultural agility in workplace communication has increased significantly. As companies become more diverse and global with employees of different cultural backgrounds, understanding and respecting this diversity becomes essential. Modern businesses must navigate a complex cultural landscape, and successful communication requires an awareness of these differences and the ability to act with cultural competence.

Diversity training is one approach to help build such competence and teamwork, aiming to bridge cultural differences and foster better team interactions. Research suggests that a moderate but significant reduction in prejudice can result from teams working under certain favorable conditions, such as equal standing and common goals.

Moreover, studies have indicated that gender-based diversity within teams can enhance their skill set and potentially improve performance. The increase in diversity can also drive socioeconomic change by breaking down discriminatory barriers and allowing a more inclusive environment for all workers.