Season 5 Hire and Inspire: Cultural Diversity at Work
- Aleksandar Antevski
- 18 minutes ago
- 4 min read
The Power and Potential of Cultural Diversity
Workplaces are evolving into vibrant ecosystems where people from different backgrounds, cultures, religions, languages, and generations come together. This diversity is not just a trend; it’s a reflection of the world we live in, and it brings both challenges and tremendous opportunities.
For instance, when I work with international teams in Norway, I notice how newcomers often experience culture shock. Something as simple as meeting etiquette can cause stress: in Norway, people often arrive on time, value direct communication, and expect participation from everyone, regardless of rank.
For someone coming from a highly hierarchical culture, this can feel both liberating and confusing.
This culture shock, if handled well, can become a powerful growth opportunity. Teams that recognize and discuss these differences openly often see stronger collaboration and innovation.
Flat Hierarchies and Open Communication
Norwegian workplaces are famous for their flat hierarchies. Managers often work alongside employees rather than above them, and ideas from junior staff are welcomed. While this egalitarian approach promotes creativity and accountability, it can also be surprising for people from more hierarchical cultures.
For example, a team member from a country where managers are rarely challenged might hesitate to speak up in meetings. By pairing them with a mentor and encouraging small contributions in low-pressure settings, they gradually build confidence. Over time, they not only adapt but thrive, often offering insights that senior staff may not have considered.
International Teams: Collaboration Across Borders
Diverse teams are incredibly powerful, but they can also create complexity. Imagine a team where members come from Norway, India, Brazil, and Germany. Communication styles, decision-making approaches, and problem-solving strategies can differ drastically.
A practical example: in one project, the German colleague preferred detailed planning, the Brazilian colleague thrived under spontaneity, the Indian colleague valued consensus, and the Norwegian manager emphasized equality in discussion. By intentionally setting clear communication protocols and rotating leadership in small tasks, the team turned potential chaos into an efficient, high-performing unit.
Respecting Religion and Traditions
Workplaces are increasingly multicultural, which means respecting religious and cultural traditions is critical. Small gestures matter: providing a quiet space for prayer, offering vegetarian or halal options in the cafeteria, or acknowledging religious holidays.
I remember organizing a team lunch where colleagues shared dishes from their home countries. It wasn’t just about food; it sparked conversations, stories, and understanding, creating bonds that no training session could replicate.
Celebrating Diversity Beyond Tokenism
“Diversity days” or cultural celebrations shouldn’t be checkboxes. There should be opportunities to learn, connect, and understand. For example, in one Norwegian company, we celebrated Eid, Diwali, and Christmas together. Sharing stories, traditions, and food allowed employees to appreciate the different worldviews within the same team — and engagement improved measurably.
Women in Leadership and Age Diversity
Norway has made great strides in gender equality, yet women in leadership roles are still underrepresented in some industries. Encouraging mentorship programs, leadership training, and equitable recruitment practices makes a real difference.
Similarly, age diversity adds depth. Young professionals bring digital expertise and fresh perspectives, while experienced employees contribute context, institutional knowledge, and strategic insight. For example, pairing a new graduate with a senior colleague on a project often produces results that neither could achieve alone.
Language and Communication Across Cultures
Language is not just a tool — it reflects culture, thought, and nuance. Mixing languages at work is common in international teams, but misunderstandings are frequent. Practical strategies include:
Choosing a common language for meetings
Clarifying acronyms and idioms
Providing written summaries of discussions
In one team, a Norwegian manager initially used Norwegian in casual conversation, leaving non-native speakers confused. By switching to English during meetings and sending concise notes, everyone became more engaged and included.
Hidden Bias in Hiring
Even the most inclusive workplaces struggle with unconscious bias. Candidates might be judged for their names, accents, or educational background rather than skills.
A practical approach is structured hiring:
Use standardized interview questions
Implement blind CV reviews
Train interviewers on bias
I’ve helped companies implement these practices, resulting in more diverse and qualified hires, and stronger team performance.
Inclusion Beyond Words
Diversity is meaningless without inclusion. Teams need psychological safety, where people feel empowered to share ideas and challenge assumptions. Mentorship, team-building exercises, and open feedback loops are key. True inclusion is visible in daily actions, not just corporate statements.
I created a 13-week roadmap to help teams and individuals:
Cultural Awareness Exercises – understand colleagues’ backgrounds
Language Workshops – improve clarity and communication
Mentorship Pairings – connect experienced staff with newcomers
Bias Training – recognize and reduce unconscious prejudice
Inclusion Metrics – track engagement, retention, and collaboration
Following this roadmap turns diversity from a concept into a competitive advantage.
Global Stories of Diversity Wins
Companies that embrace inclusion see tangible outcomes: faster problem-solving, higher innovation, and better employee retention. In a Norwegian startup I worked with, bringing together a multi-generational, multicultural team led to a product innovation that won an international award — proof that inclusive collaboration drives results.
Stronger Together
Cultural diversity is not just a workplace topic; it’s a human imperative. When we respect differences, empower every voice, and celebrate individuality, workplaces become not only productive but inspiring.
This is why I created Hire & Inspire: to provide guidance, practical tools, and inspiration for professionals navigating modern workplaces.
Whether you’re looking to improve recruitment, mentorship, inclusion, or team performance in multicultural environments, I’m here to help.
👉 Aleksandar Antevski – Recruiter & Digital Marketer
Podcast:
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