ASSOCIATIONS 7
‘ How to ’ guide to promoting diversity in the plumbing workplace
By
Eamonn Ryan , PIRB . Edited by Rory Macnamara
Creating a culture of tolerance and inclusion can be an asset to a plumbing business .
Diversity has long ceased to be regarded as just another buzzword – it is the key that can unlock expansion of the business . It is a characteristic that sets a plumbing business apart – a quality to be sought after and thereafter protected . Diversity is an asset providing one with a greater multitude of perspectives of situations to draw upon , a broader range of experiences . It always yields a greater range of strengths among a team .
But diversity does not happen by chance . Smart business owners actively encourage it by creating a culture of tolerance and inclusion . Here are some practical tips on how one can follow suit :
• Provide regular training – Team training is a powerful tool to promote diversity and tolerance . Get the team to produce diverse ways for each other to learn from one another together .
• Have diversity incorporated into your written mission statement – Speaking of vision and values , make it clear in one ’ s mission statement to the team members and customers that tolerance is central to the business .
• Lead by your personal example – One must lead from the front . Do not engage in behaviour that belittles or demeans people of a certain gender or ethnic background . That way , one empowers the rest of the team to do the same . Always make a point that one ’ s own personal interactions with all people are respectful and well mannered .
• Unity through vision – There are bound to be many things that make each of the team members different but emphasise the things that bring about unity — including the company ’ s vision and values . In meetings , always make sure everyone knows what the company is trying to achieve , and how their role fits into the big picture .
• Have a zero-tolerance policy in place for discrimination – Any behaviour that ridicules others over differences should be stopped immediately – plain and simple . This should be spelled out in employment policies and made clear in a specific , written , formal policy . The point should be clearly made when signing on all new employees .
• Practice non-punitive conflict resolution – Diverse backgrounds and perspectives can occasionally lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications through language and cultural differences . A non-punitive conflict resolution is a way to deal with this that does not punish anyone , make anyone
Plumbing Africa Rory Macnamara wrong or target anyone ’ s background as being the source of the problem or somehow unworthy .
• Encourage collaboration – Assign plumbing projects not to individuals but to diverse teams . Make sure a workflow exists where everyone works with everyone else to avoid the formation of cliques or working in seclusion .
• Have avenues in place to collect staff ideas and suggestions – This is a means of having everyone feel like their voice can be heard . As the plumbing business owner , one should actively seek suggestions or proposals from all members of the team by instilling a workplace culture in which ideas are never ridiculed or rejected out of hand . This does not mean one has to accept every idea that has been put forward - just seriously consider them .
Again , diversity is a good thing , but not something that just happens automatically . It must be a priority to have a team where tolerance and inclusion are the norm . The tips here should provide some useful ways to be intentional as you build diversity in a team that finds strength through its differences . PA
“ Assign plumbing projects not to individuals but to diverse teams .”
Nature like humans does and must work in harmony .
November 2022 Volume 28 I Number 9 www . plumbingafrica . co . za