Diversity and inclusion at work: Building stronger teams every day

Workplaces across Australia are changing. Diversity and inclusion are no longer “nice to haves” or buzzwords in a corporate values deck. They’re essential to how teams perform, collaborate and deliver.

As Kirsty Jennings, Senior Recruitment Consultant at NW People, explains, this shift is practical and necessary.

“It used to be seen as doing the right thing. But diversity actually provides a more open view of your customers and your market. Our customers are diverse, our candidates are diverse, so our teams need to reflect that.”

At NW People, we work closely with a multicultural workforce across Australia and see every day how different perspectives and lived experiences strengthen the workplaces we support. For us, diversity and inclusion at work isn’t an abstract concept. It’s about real people, real skills and real opportunities.

Why diversity matters in the workplace

There is a strong and consistent link between workplace diversity and organisational performance. McKinsey’s Diversity wins: How inclusion matters report found that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams are 25% more likely to financially outperform those in the bottom quartile. The same study found that companies with the highest levels of ethnic and cultural diversity at leadership level are 36% more likely to achieve above-average profitability.

A diverse workforce means diverse perspectives and diverse ways of seeing, interpreting and solving problems.

“Everybody thinks a little bit differently,” Kirsty says. “Where you’re brought up, how you’re brought up, your background – it all contributes to how you approach challenges. When you bring those different perspectives and ways of thinking together, innovation thrives.”

This is especially important in a professional services workforce, where client relationships and problem-solving benefit directly from varied perspectives.

Diversity improves communication and strengthens team engagement. People show up more confidently when they feel represented and understood, and that leads to meaningful contributions and stronger outcomes.

Inclusion: Where diversity becomes performance

Hiring people from different backgrounds is only the starting point. Inclusion is what determines whether diversity translates into real value in the workplace.

Deloitte’s research into high-performing teams found that diversity of thinking can increase innovation by around 20% and reduce risk by up to 30%.

That’s not because organisations with more diversity are louder or more performative about their values. It’s because people participate more fully when they feel safe, respected and genuinely included.

We also see these benefits across gender diversity in professional services, where more balanced leadership teams are consistently linked to stronger financial and organisational outcomes.

“Inclusion should just look like a normal workday,” Kirsty says. “Everybody having a healthy conversation, everyone feeling like their voice matters. We’re not there yet across every workplace, but that’s the goal.”

“Your leaders need to believe it, live it, breathe it,” Kirsty says. “It has to be driven from the top down so it becomes natural for everyone.”

Overcoming the real barriers to inclusion

Many organisations want to create inclusive workplaces but are unsure where to start. The first step is recognising that traditional recruitment processes often unintentionally exclude people, especially those who may not have had the same access to education, digital tools or corporate work environments. Removing barriers is ultimately about equity in employment and ensuring people have fair access to work, support and progression.

Kirsty has seen firsthand how small shifts can open doors that were previously closed.

“I used to go into the community with laptops and help candidates apply and do their assessments because not everyone has had the same access to technology. That doesn’t mean they can’t do the job. It means we need to change the way we recruit.”

This approach reflects a deeper principle: you can’t design inclusion from a distance.

“If you want to increase Indigenous participation, go spend time in the community. If you want to support people with disability into work, go speak to disability providers. You’ve got to really understand.”

Change doesn’t start with policy. It starts with listening.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion at NW People

Diversity and inclusion at NW People isn’t a campaign or a chapter in a strategy document. It’s built into how we hire, how we collaborate and how we support workers and clients.

We prioritise safe pathways into employment for First Nations peoples, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ workers, veterans and women returning to work. We work with employers to adapt hiring processes so they are genuinely accessible. And we continue to build cultural literacy, awareness and shared accountability across teams.

Inclusion works when it’s meaningful. When we take practical and active steps to adapt how we hire, communicate and support people, not just talk about it.

“We do what it takes to create safe pathways into work,” Kirsty says. “Because once someone is in a place where they’re respected and welcomed, they stay. They grow. They contribute. And that strengthens the whole workforce.”

These are the kinds of inclusive workplace practices that move diversity from intention to impact.

Building your diverse team starts here

Diversity drives better performance. Inclusion drives belonging, collaboration and retention. Together, they create workplaces where people and teams can thrive.

But this progress doesn’t happen on its own. It happens through intentional choices, practical change and partnerships grounded in respect.

“Educate yourself, speak to your people, spend time in community, and if you need support, work with someone who specialises in inclusive recruitment,” Kirsty says. “That’s what we’re here for.”

If you’re ready to build a workforce that’s more inclusive, resilient and future-ready, we’re here to help.

Get in touch with our hiring team today.