Insider perspectives and experiences

¶ … Insider

During my senior year in high school my family and I moved back to California after having moved to Atlanta for a short spell. During this year for the first time in a long time I really started to feel highly valued and part of a group again. My classroom during my senior year was full of students from multiple ethnicities ... black, Hispanic, Asian and even Middle Eastern. During my short stay in Atlanta I often felt like my Asian heritage made me an outsider. Not so in California however, where I found several different groups of people with similar backgrounds to hang out with. I learned that diversity fosters independence, confidence and for some including myself, a sense of comfort knowing that not everyone is the same, and that is acceptable and appreciated in some circumstances.

My classmates in California were familiar to me; they dressed the same way I did in the same brands, so I didn't feel like I stood out like a sore thumb. People smiled at me or asked how things were going all the time, even when I was just walking down the hall. I felt more spontaneous like I could be myself and make friends. The people around me also contributed to this feeling, by introducing themselves and asking me something about my experiences or where I had moved from. Most of them seemed genuinely interested in my story.

Being in this setting allowed me to draw on my naturally extroverted nature. I felt comfortable chatting people up and inviting various people that were strangers to get to know me and my new friends. My classmates helped the transition tremendously, because they invited me to take part in cultural events at school, have lunch together and even hang out after class. Being invited into the group helped me feel comfortable enough to share my true personality. My self-esteem soared, as did my desire to share my good feelings with others.

Several classmates also offered to show me around so I got used to my surroundings again, even though I had lived in California in the past. This experience taught me that feeling included has a tremendous impact on one's self-esteem and performance. Not only did I feel good each and ever day, but my grades improved dramatically.

Being the new person in school is much like being a new employee in an organization. There are several things organizational leaders can do to help new members of the group feel welcome. Welcoming new employees is vital to the success of a company because among other things it fosters self-esteem and communication, an essential component of any organization in any time.

One thing I learned is that organizations might benefit from a buddy or mentoring program, where new employees get to tag around with someone that has been with the organization for an extended period of time. This person can help show the new employee around, help them become familiar with the surroundings and start introducing them to people they might get along with. Much like my classmates showed me around and introduced me to several groups I fit in well with, the mentor or buddy could do the same for all employees.

I also learned from my experiences that diversity is a positive thing. It seems that in California where I was surrounded by diversity people were more apt to be welcoming and friendly to someone who was new or different. Organizations are much the same. If you introduce someone into an organization that is different from everyone else, the person may have a hard time acclimating to the environment and culture. If however the organization promotes diversity, whether they are diverse or not, the person is much more likely to realize an easier transition into the workforce. Employees that are welcomed and appreciated for their differences are more likely to be positive and productive.

My experiences taught me that being new or different can in fact be a very positive experience when someone is treated with respect and dignity. Such respect and acceptance leads to a more open minded idealisms and a desire to help others achieve the same sense of contentment.

Organizational leaders could take several steps to implement programs that foster diversity and communication. First and foremost they should take time out to examine the culture that currently exists within their organization. Leaders should take stock of how diverse their population is, and then take adequate steps to embrace diversity and train employees about the benefits of working in an environment where so many bright people with different ideas, values and viewpoints come together each and every day.