You definitely noticed that diversity in management and hiring lately became a topic as debated as pineapple on pizza. Some think it's a modern must-have, some think it's a fashion choice of agenda, and some don't really get it. Tactile Games is a company with 50+ nationalities, 40% women, many LGBTQ+ people, and a kaleidoscope of backgrounds that make your head spin faster than a rollercoaster. Working in such a company, especially on mobile games that put women as the target audience, has proven to me how vital diversity of thinking is.
Let's look at the dogs to back up my point scientifically. The diversity of breeds doesn't just bring different appearances; it also brings strengths and weaknesses: some are good for hunting, some are good for guarding, some are patient, some are active, some are stronger, and some are more agile. As an owner of a retriever, I declare that no one wants to be guarded by this boy: it's more of a guided tour for burglars!
Now, back to the burning question: why is diversity important? A simple example, based on true events: a planning offsite, lunchtime, burgers on the agenda, me asking for plastic gloves... and the puzzled looks and raised eyebrows. Turns out, not everyone shares my international burger etiquette. I took gloves for granted, some of my peers didn't realize why would I need them, some thought that it's a brilliant idea, some thought it's bad for ecology... As I hate eating with my hands, I tackled my first Danish burger with a knife and fork, thinking how a simple situation demonstrated the diversity in consumer behavior across the globe.
While I already talked about the importance of understanding each other better in my LinkedIn article here, this time, I'm all about the carnival of benefits diverse thinking unleashes on your product and skills.
First off, working on a game that is played worldwide, you need to learn how people from different regions, religions, and cultures perceive things. No, one American in the team won't unveil the entire U.S. consumer base, but it can give you the cultural context, the starting point if you want to research something deeper.
Secondly, diverse minds bring an eclectic buffet of skills and perspectives to the company feast. Primarily, when you work with the production of the content, you can fall into the trap of your perception of something that may be wrong or even offensive to others. Ever almost named a virtual dog something seemingly harmless, only to find out it's an accidental insult in another culture?
That dog was originally named 'Paddy' (as a diminutive of Patrick, no offense intended), but our British colleague said that it is inappropriate as it can be a derogatory term for Irish people. Funny enough, an extensive Google search didn't show any issue with that word! Without having diversity in the team we wouldn't find out until it's too late. I'm not even mentioning the constant struggle with translations: before we built our own localization team, we worked with contractors, and we often received messages from our native-speaking players from, for example, the Netherlands, who said that this or that word should be translated differently because the context does not fit.
Lastly, by talking to different people, you also broaden your own horizons and - if you are open-minded enough - can learn a thing or two. In the worst case, it's simply fun to talk to people about different culture aspects. It's not just about work; it's about discovering that in my country, 'Tremors' is a movie night must, while in the U.S., it's considered cinematic blasphemy. New Year's celebrations? Don't even get me started – it's a cultural carousel that's both mind-boggling and heartwarming. So, dear reader, embrace the diversity disco – it's not just a trendy playlist; it's the symphony that turns your workplace into a vibrant carnival of ideas, perspectives, and unexpected delights! 🌍✨
