The undeniable value of diversity for technology companies

Krithika Bhat at Pure Storage describes how the technology needs to change if the benefits of a diverse workforce are to be achieved

By now, you’ll have heard the call for STEM to be more open, encouraging and welcoming to women and minorities. A 2021 study by Women Into Science and Engineering (WISE) found that women make up 26.6% of the workforce in STEM, but that is changing.

Studies show that the material benefits of diversity within tech companies far exceed those that remain more homogenous. A well cited study by McKinsey and Company found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on their executive teams were 15 percent more likely to experience above-average profitability than companies in the fourth quartile. McKinsey and Company also found that companies with the most ethnically diverse executive teams were 33 percent more likely to outperform their peers on profitability. 

My own career journey continues to teach me the undeniable value there is in embracing diversity. I’ve experienced first hand the positivity that comes from technology companies supporting and embracing diverse people and teams.

Organisations with a positive and inclusive culture - one that encourages collaboration, inclusion and respect are important to me and I have a unique insight based on my experience setting up tech teams around the world. I am a champion of this type of respectful inclusivity and it’s vital for employers to make tech accessible for all in order to get the best from teams and drive innovation. 

Making tech accessible for all 

We’re seeing that more and more young people entering the workforce feel compelled to join organisations whose values mirror their own - especially when it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion.

That said, that doesn’t mean we have to resort to tokenism. Hiring should be based on merit but the tech industry must realise that, in order to attract and retain talent, it must embrace inclusion. For instance, initiatives such as post-maternity support for mothers, and embracing flexible working, are realistic and achievable ways to encourage women to pursue a career in technology.

Another valuable element in making the tech industry accessible is visible female role models. It’s vital to see people like yourself, all the way through to the C-suite and boardroom. This makes the idea of leadership achievable. 

Diversity is a key driver for innovation

Any member of a minority group — gender, sexual identity and representation, race, socioeconomic status, etc. — brings a diversity of thought and experience to an organisation. In employing a diverse workforce, it makes it easier to lessen the impact of unconscious bias.  Diverse backgrounds will enable wider viewpoints to be expressed and hopefully also reduce unconscious bias.

Typically, when people from minority communities are part of leadership, it inherently creates a more inclusive environment in which all people feel more comfortable sharing ideas and contributing to the group. It takes a diverse set of minds, ideas, and experiences to create more inclusive products and services that work for a wide audience.

In my experience, women have a unique ability to communicate, bring people together, and build high-performing teams. As such, having a diverse team enhances the chances of a company’s success.

Innovation is a muscle that needs to be exercised - and that means not every workout is going to be successful. Projects might fail, but that doesn’t mean failure. It’s important to have a team mentality that supports this if innovation is to succeed.

Team behaviours often reflect the behaviours of leadership so it’s important for leaders to be respectful and inclusive.

Making multiculturalism work

My own journey is something of an unconventional one: I never planned to work in IT, but, after achieving my Bachelor of Engineering degree from the University of Mumbai, I accepted a position as a programmer analyst. It was an excellent place for me to learn the ropes and confirm my interest in the industry, and I’ve never looked back.

Having moved from India, to Canada, and finally to the US, I’m well aware of the challenges that one faces when being in a different environment - or being the only one who looks like you in a room.

This challenge works both ways and it’s vital to make an effort to understand different cultures. Many years ago I was presenting to an internal team from another country that I was not familiar with. The presentation was well received- the audience hung on my every word. At the end of the hour-long talk I opened up for questions, one of them quietly said “our English isn’t great, can you repeat what you covered”. I realised they considered it rude to interrupt me so they waited till the end of the entire session.

This was a good lesson for me and now I make sure to get a good read of the room and understand the culture of the people I am working with so that I can tailor the content to the right level. It’s an important part of multiculturalism and diversity which should be embraced.  

Steps in the right direction

While there is still much work to be done to create equitable experiences for all people in tech, there have been a few areas of change that make me hopeful that we’re on the right track. For example, there are more women in leadership positions and on boards in the tech industry. There is also a bigger push for the next generation of girls to engage in STEM early and often, helped by companies sponsoring programmes within schools and colleges.

In recent years I have joined a few women’s’ networks where members sponsor or coach others. Time and expertise is generously shared and invaluable training e.g. board readiness, is provided - all steps in the right direction where women help each other, share their experiences and pay it forward.

The most important thing the industry can do is continue to hire more diverse team members into leadership and board positions. We clearly still have a long way to go, but acknowledging the issues and the initial steps that have been taken point to a positive future - and that’s something to be excited about. 

Krithika Bhat is CIO at Pure Storage 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com