Strategies to Deal with Differences at the WorkPlace

The Avoidance and Repression Strategies

Often strategies such as avoidance and repression are used to deal with differences. These strategies are flawed as they only provide an escape to the problem without actually solving the problem.

Dangers of Avoidance Strategy                                                                           

Avoidance of problems often takes the form of associating with individuals of similar background, experiences, beliefs and values. This strategy enables an environment of mutual support predictability. This strategy is employed by people who are risk averse.  Another avoidance strategy is to separate individuals who create sparks with each other.  However this strategy minimizes the opportunity for individuals to learn from each other and grow.  

Dangers of Repression Strategy

Repression of differences occurs when an individual or organization enforces measures to stop disagreements from emerging. Most organizations do this is by enforcing conformity and standardization of rules and policies. They ensure all employees adhere to these policies in the same way. Statements such as “these are the rules everyone in organization need to adhere to”, employees should work on this project in a professional and collegial manner” create boundaries and limit collaborative behavior. Repression can also lead to conflict and low employee motivation which can prove quite costly for organizations. 

Example of Avoidance Strategy- Indians in the US

For example I have seen from my experiences of travelling to the US that Indians tend to form their “Indian groups” and tend to remain in these groups avoiding interactions with people from other nationalities. Doing so gives them a sense of security and convenience as this way they are surrounded by individuals of similar background, beliefs and values. However this strategy does not let them learn from the experiences of people who are of different nationalities. There is so much Indians can learn from other communities and there so much scope for collaboration. Think of an Indo-Chinese restaurant in Manhattan. Wouldn’t it be a great idea to set up a restaurant in the heart of New York that serves both Chicken biryani and Szechuan chicken fried rice? Can’t the Indians and Chinese collaborate by exchanging ideas ingredients and spices to conceive a completely new Indo-Chinese dish.  Avoidance leads to a loss on these opportunities to collaborate.

Example of Repression Strategy gone Wrong -Turbans Not Allowed in the US Army

Sikhs are not allowed to wear turbans in the US army. While the US army sites reasons of conformity and standardization for disallowing turbans this does look like a clear example of discrimination. The Turban is an article of faith for the Sikhs. Sikhs serve in the Indian, British and Swedish army without having to face such discrimination.  Sikhs all over the world were outraged by the decision of the US army to not allow turbans. We can imagine how this must have gone down with the Sikh soldiers and officers in the US army. The morale and enthusiasm of serving in the army would have definitely diminished.