Today’s workforce is more diverse than ever. Reality changed. It’s no longer about knowing how to work with people like us, but rather being able to work with people different from us. It is no longer realistic to wish to work in a homogeneous environment, but rather to have the ability to thrive in a heterogeneous work environment. 

We don’t always realize the biases or prejudices we have towards our coworkers, or our customers, whom are different from us. And, it is possible we don’t understand how our behaviours affect others.

Learning to understand others can help avoid misunderstandings and prevent any confrontation that might happen in the workplace. Like in any other aspect of diversity, we must respect others and appreciate (which is more than to tolerate) differences to maintain a sense of community.

Before foreseeing a PowerPoint for your next presentation, and neglecting (even forgetting) white boards and flip charts, take the time to read this:

Visual supports

Visual supports help the audience remember key points, they clarify ideas, help you illustrate your words, and strengthen your arguments. They give a rhythm to your presentation and simplify some complexities.

People using visual supports are often seen as more prepared, more persuasive, and more interesting. They reach their goals more often than those not using them.

Studies have shown that a visual support makes a presentation more effective; a recent study from the University of Wisconsin shows that visual supports can improve comprehension and learning up to 200 %.

A visual support is a “support”. Unfortunately, I have too often seen visual supports being used to:

But that is another topic … let’s get back to our original one: analogs or digitals?

The advantages of the analog tools

Visual supports come in many different formats: hand-outs, white boards and flip charts, models, computer screenings and electronic medias, etc.

In our trainings, at Solutions & Co. we still use static writing surfaces such as textbooks, white boards, and flip charts!

What makes analog tools such amazing learning tools is the way they require both the use of the body and the brain in the learning process.

Researches on cognitive matching have shown that the physical process of writing, and doing diagrams helps people learn and remember the information. Using a writing surface like a whiteboard is both kinesthetic and visual, because writing and drawing engages the user both physically and mentally and fosters learning.

When we go through ideas visually, in a constant back and forth manner, in real time and in the same space, we offer a level of social connection different from the one offered by most digital solutions.

Proper use of writing surfaces can facilitate team work, improve commitment, and foster creativity and problem solving. Integrating analog tools in training rooms can allow participants to discuss, to communicate, and to share their ideas. And it helps us connect with each other by encouraging collaboration and sociability.

Conclusion? When we physically express our thoughts and ideas, and we progressively reveal the content, our brains are engaged in a way that release more potential for learning, ideas, solutions, and reflection.

Which ones are more relevant? Analog or digital tools?

Obviously, this not a “digital tools versus analog methods” competition. The ideal path of success is neither one nor the other, but knowing to pick the appropriate support in order to meet the audience’s needs and to reach its goal.

Studies reveal that 73% of teachers having used both connected and offline tools note a rise in students’ interest (Center for Digital Education), and 58% of students state learning better in an environment mixing both digital and analog tools (ECAR undergraduates survey).

The strength lies in the strategical use of your visual supports. Even if technology prevails in most professional environments and modern classrooms, analog tools remain an important and effective tool not to be overlooked.

No matter which visual aid you choose, do not let it overpower your presentation. Even UNESCO reminds us that digital is only to assist education not to replace it. Visual aids are used to enrich your presentation; they do not replace you.

Last month we saw the Reverse brainstorming as an additional way to generate ideas, and to come up with a creative solution to problems. Here is another approach to push your traditional brainstorming sessions a little further:

“Yes, And…” Approach

One method for inciting creative brainstorming is trying a technique used in improvisational theater: “Yes, and…”.

The approach encourages people to collaborate and build on everyone else’s ideas by first agreeing and then adding something to the discussion by replying “yes, and we can also…”.

Taking “no” off the table ensures all ideas are heard and avoids draining the team’s energy.

In an open work environment, it is sometimes difficult to focus. Put on noise-canceling headphones for times when you are working on a task that requires concentration. Earphones serve as a visual cue to your colleagues so they do not bother you unless absolutely necessary.

Have a common "code" that symbolizes the unavailability.

Example:

• Two earpieces mean "Leave me alone. I'm focusing."
• Only one earpiece means "Ask before interrupting me."
• Without earphones means "You can interrupt me."

The human mind is an outstanding problem solver but a less impressive storage device. We can hold, according to some estimates, about 1 gigabyte of memory, maybe as much as 10. But our minds are not computers. They don’t rely entirely on memory and objectiveness, as a machine must, but on pattern recognition and insight.

Most of our knowledge resides outside of our heads -in our bodies, in the environment, and most crucially, in other people. In other words, the world is part of our memory.

We don’t necessarily have all the knowledge, but we know where the information is, and we know how to access it or retrieve it.

We have a social brain, we are not built to rely on a single mind. We have succeeded as species because of how well communities of brains work together and of how we share intentionality. We are collectively capable of brilliance.

If we can’t make use of other’s people knowledge, we can’t succeed. We can barely function.

Geert Hofstede, a social psychologist, defines culture as follows: “We are pack animals. We use language and empathy and work together and engage in competition as a group. The unwritten rules that govern these aspects differ from one group of humans to another. 'Culture' is how we describe this set of unwritten rules that defines how to be a good group member.”

Communicating with different cultures can be difficult. When we deal with people from unfamiliar cultures, it is easy to misinterpret meanings and intentions. This can lead to confusion, unhappiness and frustration. For communication to be successful, we need to understand the meaning and the intent of what the other person has said. The better one understands the influence of culture and its unwritten sets of rules, the more effective communication will be.

Today’s workforce requires cooperation from five generations. One of the biggest workplace challenges is getting these generations to see past their biases and learn to work together toward common goals since they tend to differ on everything from work hours, etiquette, working remotely and inter-office dynamic.

The following tips are useful for working effectively with ANY generation.

Everyone wishes to be part of a great team in their workplace. Because great teams have the energy, drive and means to strive for excellence and succeed. 

But if you want to be part of an awesome team, you have to be, first and foremost, an outstanding team player.

Team players are genuinely committed to their organization, to their team and its members. They involve others and are involved. They show up and are generous with their knowledge and skills. They come prepared and are problem-solvers.

It is not enough to just sit quietly and get your work done… and it’s definitely not in your interest if you want to be part of a great team.

Be careful in how you communicate your expertise; you don't want others to see you as arrogant or as a know-it-all. Stay humble about your accomplishments, and develop your emotional intelligence, so that you can communicate in a sensitive way and be truly appreciated (and not only needed) by your team members.

It is estimated that an adult makes approximately 35,000 decisions a day. That doesn’t leave much headspace for the rest of our day-to-day existence.

Cut out all the decisions that create white noise in your head and you might be struck by how free, clear-headed and determined you feel.