DEI in Tech: A Competitive Edge for IT Success

Diversity and inclusion in tech is a competitive necessity. Diverse teams are proven more likely to succeed — and top talent demands it. A Glassdoor survey found that a third of job seekers avoid companies lacking diversity. This number is even higher among Black and LGBTQ+ candidates. Successful businesses now consider diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a requirement.

Diversity isn't limited to gender and race; it encompasses age, nationality, personality, abilities, education, and more, with each intersection offering a unique approach to problem-solving.

What Does Diversity Bring to IT Teams?

Diversity produces technical innovations. Dr. Temple Grandin, an animal behaviorist and autism advocate, describes her brain's unique benefits to a tech team: "I could test-run a piece of equipment in my mind, just like a virtual reality computer system." Traits such as these can be invaluable in roles that require rigorous attention to detail, like QA testing or software debugging.

Likewise, individuals with physical disabilities might emphasize accessibility and user experience in problem-solving, leading to better-designed products. There's evidence that supporting people with disabilities of all varieties is good for business: The Accenture report "Getting to Equal: The Disability Inclusion Advantage" shows that companies that prioritize disability employment see 30% higher profit margins.

Related:Embracing Neurodiversity in IT Workplace to Bridge Talent Gaps

Every underrepresented group needs better support at work. Consider age discrimination — which affects both young and senior IT professionals — with a noticeable trend toward hiring younger talent. Statista found that the median age at selected tech companies was 28 years. But employees offer value at any age: HBR cites a study that found "knowledge and expertise — the main predictors of job performance — keep increasing even beyond the age of 80." Age, not just tenure, can correlate with workplace wisdom.

Giving people of all backgrounds a fair opportunity to influence your organization makes the world a more equitable, human place. But it's also key to building a more dynamic culture and effective organization.

Diversity Requires Equity and Inclusion

While diversity is about representation, equity and inclusion are about properly supporting your team. An inclusive IT team is one where all members, regardless of their background, feel they belong and can contribute. Deloitte Insights reports that this sense of belonging increases job satisfaction, decreases turnover rates, and enhances engagement levels.

Related:Digital Workplace I&O Leaders Must Prioritize DEI Initiatives

Leaders of equitable IT teams provide equal access to opportunities regardless of someone's background. For example, equity-minded leaders ensure their teams receive equal access to training, transparent opportunities to advance, and standardized compensation processes. In other cases, equity is about supporting individual needs by providing reasonable accommodations like mobility support or a distraction-free work environment. Supporting every member of your IT team increases the likelihood they'll find meaning and value in their work.

The Cumulative Benefits of DEI in Organizations

DEI's advantages don't stop at the individual level — they cascade throughout the team and organization. Research recognizes these five organizational benefits:

Related:How CIOs Can Integrate AI Among Employees Without Impacting DEI

Source: Alamy

Prioritize DEI in Your IT Team

All IT teams should prioritize greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces. If you're getting started, recognize how to amplify it without compromising non-discrimination. For instance, in many countries, it's illegal to make hiring decisions based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, or disability. This doesn't excuse heterogeneous teams or a lack of equity in organizations. Instead, IT teams must broaden their recruitment strategies, offer research-backed DEI training, and design a culture that is supportive and inclusive for all.

For example, the most diverse organizations tend to build authentic relationships with job search organizations that cater to underrepresented groups. IT teams can also better retain talent by making changes to how they approach compensation, pay adjustment processes, and performance review cycles. Leaders can simultaneously consider unique strategies like redesigning interview processes to boost inclusion, creating a space for underrepresented talent to connect through employee resource groups, and offering flexible work environments that meet folks' unique needs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Unlock Success

Fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment not only benefits individuals but elevates the entire IT team. Diversity brings creative talent to your company. The choices you make each day inform their sense of inclusion and belonging, and your bottom line. Unique perspectives and talent are proven to lead to greater success. To benefit, prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in your team.