Dealing with diversity

The Dealing with Diversity competency indicates whether you can deal with people from different backgrounds. An example of a question that belongs to this competence is: "I put myself in the shoes of people with different backgrounds or ideas in order to understand them better".

Development tips

• Don't try to avoid people with different backgrounds or ideas. This can create a negative atmosphere and increase tensions.
• Do not draw premature conclusions about people with different backgrounds or ideas.
• Put yourself in the shoes of people with different backgrounds or ideas to understand them better.
• Look for similarities between people with different views.
• Consider the benefits of the differences between you and others and write them down for yourself.
• In a study group, make use of people's different talents.
• If you are having a hard time with a certain difference between you and someone else, describe the behavior that you are struggling with. Discuss this with someone else if necessary.
• Discuss tensions as a result of differences between people. Focus on the similarities or common goal rather than the differences.