Diversity as part of everyday life
We encounter it everywhere - in the team, working with colleagues from different backgrounds. In neighbourhoods where we live next to people with different customs. On courses, on holidays or even in a simple conversation on the train.
Some people see time as flexible, others love order. Some like to think out loud, others in silence. Differences in attitude, thinking or values need not be a complication. If we learn to work with them, they can become our advantage. They bring new ideas, more empathetic communication and better understanding in our work and personal lives.
- Tip: Think about what really surprised you about someone else recently and what it taught you.
Research shows that teams with higher diversity are up to 35% more likely to perform better (McKinsey & Company). The key, however, is proper communication.
Develop your soft skills. The ability to hear what is not said, to appreciate a different way of thinking or to give space to different ideas is not always obvious. Try courses on communication and collaboration. We recommend Top Vision, the School of Communication or VOX.
Travelling as empathy training
When we travel, we are often exposed to situations that do not fit our habits. It's a training in adaptability. A mirror for our habits. A test of openness. In another culture we might sit on the floor, eat with our hands or wait for a train that is two hours late and not mind. Our perception of what is “normal” changes.
- Tip: When travelling, try keeping a travel diary. Not about what you saw, but what surprised, surprised or delighted you. What did you realise about people, places or yourself?
Explore the world with an open mind. Set off on an authentic experience with Benefit Plus Travel Agency, which offers a diverse selection of destinations - from tried-and-tested classics to lesser-known gems. Whether you prefer to travel on your own and are looking for accommodation only, or prefer a fully guided holiday, it's easy to choose. In addition, the range has been expanded to include Czech travel agencies such as Čedok, DER Touristik CZ, ETI and others to complement the traditional German partners. TA Benefit Plus simply adapts to your travel style.
Taste otherness in movement, flavour and language
We don't have to travel thousands of miles to encounter a different view of the world. Sometimes all it takes is a different recipe, a new language or a shared dance.
How to expand your horizons right now?
- Sign up for an ethnic cooking course - perhaps Vietnamese, Lebanese or Indian.
- Try a dance from another part of the world. For many, dance is a universal means of communication that connects people regardless of age, ethnicity or social background.
- Give a new language a chance. Learning a few sentences in Japanese, Italian or Arabic is not only practical - it's also a way to understand the culture.
The Ola Kala and Studio Divoká vařečka courses will teach you more than just recipes. They will bring you closer to culture through the most enticing thing - food.
Latin rhythms, flamenco or maybe queer dance? Flame Dance and Stolárna dance studios will get your body and mind moving.
If you are tempted by another language, we recommend courses from Spěváček, Lingua Centrum or Skřivánek. It's not just about vocabulary, but a ticket to a different way of thinking and communicating.
- Tip for introverts: if you prefer quiet, reach for an audiobook from a different cultural context - e.g. African fiction, Indian philosophy or Arabic tales. Benefit Plus offers discounts at Audioteka.cz.
Psychological safety as a space for authenticity
In its “Project Aristotle” research, Google found that the best performing teams are not linked by talent, but by psychological safety. It's the feeling that you can be yourself without fear of rejection.
When that space exists, people aren't afraid to voice an opinion, ask for help or admit a mistake. This is the basis of trust, respect and a healthy team dynamic. The same is true in community, family, friendships.
A safe environment starts not with rules, but with attitudes. With open listening, respect for differences and a willingness to understand even when we disagree.
What can we do?
- Allow others the space to speak without interruption.
- To verify that we understand. To listen without the need to respond immediately.
- To openly admit that we don't know something - and thus allow others to do the same.
Communication courses teach you how to create an environment where differences don't have to be hidden, but can flourish.
Diversity is a gift when we give it space
Before we ask, “Why do they do it differently?”, let's try to say, “What can this show me?”
Every encounter with otherness can transform us - subtly, permanently, humanly.
We can start with small steps. Perhaps a language course, a dance, a taste of an unfamiliar food, listening to a different opinion. Each of these steps has the power to open up our world a little more.
Use your benefits as a ticket to a world of inspiration. Not just for work, but for people.
