Written by Jaydah Jacobs

As humans, we are all different. This is no surprise to us, yet we are still afraid of those differences. We often surround ourselves with people like ourselves because they make us feel more comfortable. The people you choose to connect with may look, act, talk, or dress like you. You can relate to them and this puts you at ease. But this can hold you back because diversity is about accepting differences. By doing this you no longer limit yourself. Let’s look at why you should step out of your comfort zone and embrace diversity in entrepreneurship and business in general.

THE MLK WAY

Martin Luther King Jr. was a humanitarian who fought for equality and integration. He ultimately wanted all people to unite peacefully and productively. Dr. King saw the beauty in diversity and wanted other people to see it, too.

When approaching diversity in entrepreneurship, do it the “MLK way”: with an open mind. Focus solely on the “content of their character” when it comes to hiring employees. This will allow the diversity to increase naturally.

BENEFITS OF DIVERSITY IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The world is constantly changing. We’ve moved on from segregation, but inequality still exists. It’s important to be an entrepreneur who recognizes that. It’s even better to be the one who helps fix this issue. If Dr. King didn’t break boundaries, then businesses would be missing out on a lot of talented people.

Some of the most innovative ideas come from businesses that value having a diverse culture. Different types of people from all backgrounds increase and encourage creativity. It also helps when businesses have employees who resemble the community it’s in. A study by The B Team on workplace diversity proved that this method improved business for the company.

ENCOURAGE DIVERSITY

Make new connections and develop diversity-friendly policies. These are successful ways to encourage diversity in entrepreneurship. Also, surround yourself with different types of people to network with. You may be surprised by the work ethic and creativity you experience.

“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

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