Nobody wants to stand out, whether in a socio-cultural environment or at a workplace, but if one does, it’s good to be aware of the pros and cons. Whether one is in a minority in terms of gender, religion or physical ability, one should be prepared to deal with it. Mahima Puri tells you how you can get there.
Don’t Let it Get to You
“The fact that you are a minority in a certain team should not impact you,” says Y V Verma, COO of LG Electronics India. “The more you let it affect you, the more it does,” says Mr Verma. He adds that for the management, minority may also mean diversity, for instance, gender diversity. Thus it is important to realise and understand the good intentions of the company that is about to hire you.
Take It Positively
If you are a minority in the team, it is quite possible that there is more focus and attention on you, points out Mr Verma. “Everyone is equal at a workplace in today’s world,” he adds. For instance, if one is a woman in a male-dominated team, it is likely everyone will keep a keen eye on her performance, but no good management will create differences on the basis of a person coming from a minority. It is imperative to contribute efficiently in any team, irrespective of your gender or religion.
Talk to the Management
If there are problems and you feel it is because of you being in a minority, you should take it up with the management. “When you are a woman, working in a male-dominant sector, where your colleagues don’t appreciate the job done by you, you may feel discriminated,” says corporate trainer and counsellor Anil Sethi. “The management may not always be the best bet to go to when you feel that you are being discriminated against and harassed, but if you feel uncomfortable about your workplace, the first thing you should do is discuss it with your company. If the company fails to accommodate your needs, then its better not to work in such an environment,” he adds.
Appreciate Differences
It is important to respect another’s persona and views despite differences and possible character blemishes, adds Sethi. This does not mean that one compromises one's values to do so, but it means appreciating the differences. You may change your stance when you are subjected to an uncalled for hug or your colleague gets drunk and loud at an office party. Once this is understood, working despite being in a minority would be a lot easier.
Maybe it’s all in Your Mind
Even if you are in a minority, gauge whether you are really being sidelined. Many a time you may have imagined the problem. It is quite possible that in today’s globalised world, peers react in a certain way, not because you belong to a certain group or community or gender, but because of their competitive nature. So do not attribute anything and everything that happens to you at the workplace to you being in a minority.
Don’t Let it Get to You
“The fact that you are a minority in a certain team should not impact you,” says Y V Verma, COO of LG Electronics India. “The more you let it affect you, the more it does,” says Mr Verma. He adds that for the management, minority may also mean diversity, for instance, gender diversity. Thus it is important to realise and understand the good intentions of the company that is about to hire you.
Take It Positively
If you are a minority in the team, it is quite possible that there is more focus and attention on you, points out Mr Verma. “Everyone is equal at a workplace in today’s world,” he adds. For instance, if one is a woman in a male-dominated team, it is likely everyone will keep a keen eye on her performance, but no good management will create differences on the basis of a person coming from a minority. It is imperative to contribute efficiently in any team, irrespective of your gender or religion.
Talk to the Management
If there are problems and you feel it is because of you being in a minority, you should take it up with the management. “When you are a woman, working in a male-dominant sector, where your colleagues don’t appreciate the job done by you, you may feel discriminated,” says corporate trainer and counsellor Anil Sethi. “The management may not always be the best bet to go to when you feel that you are being discriminated against and harassed, but if you feel uncomfortable about your workplace, the first thing you should do is discuss it with your company. If the company fails to accommodate your needs, then its better not to work in such an environment,” he adds.
Appreciate Differences
It is important to respect another’s persona and views despite differences and possible character blemishes, adds Sethi. This does not mean that one compromises one's values to do so, but it means appreciating the differences. You may change your stance when you are subjected to an uncalled for hug or your colleague gets drunk and loud at an office party. Once this is understood, working despite being in a minority would be a lot easier.
(The Economic Times, Mumbai, 17-05-2011)
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