When you hear the word “diversity,” the first things that typically come to mind are gender, race and culture. Yet, there is more we should consider when it comes to diversity. Companies have really robust referral programs to attract new hires. Recruiters may look for people through word of mouth or their personal online networks. And what does that lead to? Hiring more people who directly resemble themselves.
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If you look around most companies you’ll find that people are alike — both in background and often in terms of their opinions. Many people went to the same college or played the same sport in high school. While there’s nothing wrong with that as far as creating good teamwork and camaraderie, your company may be missing out on new growth opportunities. Look beyond the usual diversity indicators at something less obvious: diversity of viewpoints and soft skills based on life experience.
One of the best examples of this type of diversity can be found within the ranks of military, foreign service or diplomat spouses. These are the leaders of families moving on average every three years to a new city or country. Below are the diverse set of skills and experiences that make these people exceptional hires.
Adaptability. These families arrive in their new location usually with only the support of another partner or spouse assigned to help them with the initial adjustment. That typically involves helping the new family with the first trip to the grocery store and sometimes introducing them to a few others in the community. After that, the newbie is left to his or her own devices — to set up the house, settle the kids into new schools, find where to shop and make new friends and possibly find a new job or career. If they’ve moved overseas, they’re doing this in a country with different customs, currency and probably in a foreign language that he or she most likely does not know — yet.
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Self-motivation. Partners and spouses of service members and diplomats don’t have family living around them to help out when things are busy or tough. As a result, they tend to identify an issue, figure out a solution and get it done or get through it however possible. While support can be found among friends in the community surrounding them, this lifestyle breeds resourcefulness and self-sufficiency.
Resilience. Many partners or spouses spend extended periods alone taking care of their families or themselves. This can happen when their partner works long hours (as the partner navigates a foreign land alone) or is deployed to another country for three months to one year. Often when a family member back home passes away or gets sick, this person cannot make a trip home due to family circumstances or expense. The difficulties and hardship the partner or spouse endures alone indicates just how much one person can shoulder and survive.
Relationship-Building. These people are natural connectors. When forced into a whole new environment with the need to make the most of it, these partners and spouses will get out into the community to make new friends, go back to school to learn something new and explore, initiating new hobbies or activities. As a result, they are unfazed by developing new relationships, which is an ideal skill for any employee handling external relations, sales, development or frankly, anyone working on a team.
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Loyalty. As a result of their family’s service, this is overall a loyal bunch of people. When entrusted with a task and given flexibility to get something done, partners and spouses will not only deliver, but give you undivided loyalty. Many of these folks will do whatever it takes to keep their careers going — whether it’s working U.S. work hours from Asia to performing shift work — they will get the job done. When you give them the flexibility to perform, they will do it for the long term.
Those who serve our country have unique lifestyles and perspectives that add tremendous benefit to a company’s internal teams and external relations. When you think about increasing diversity in your company, think more broadly. Diverse experiences and views of the world and the ability to overcome extreme challenges will add creativity to your teams, likely enhancing innovation and performance. Don’t overlook the value of this largely untapped population.
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Employers: Consider This Untapped Diversity Hiring Route originally appeared on usnews.com
