IntroductionWorkplace diversity practices refer to the efforts made by organizations to provide an inclusive corporate culture that values ​​differences and promotes opportunities for all employees. Traditionally, diversity programs focus primarily on race, gender, and other physical dimensions. However, the current definition of diversity covers a wide range of individual and group differences ranging from work styles and generational perspectives to political and religious preferences. The illustration below shows how diversity can be understood from a business perspective: Under the umbrella of diversity practices, organizations employ methods of understanding and building relationships that encourage voices of all employees to be heard and accepted. To gain competitive advantage, organizations learn that the perspectives of diverse employee groups add value and creativity to the organizations' strategic direction. The practice of accepting and leveraging differences for the benefit of the organization through the collaboration of cultures, ideas and experiences is something that most organizations strive to achieve in today's global marketplace . The importance of diversityDiversity is even more relevant because of the interconnectivity of global markets. The world no longer operates in silos, and neither do businesses. To remain competitive, organizations must understand the preferences and needs of their diverse customer base, which may include ethnic and cultural groups beyond just race and gender. The intricacies of knowledge needed to serve a broader market share require organizational leadership to draw on a conglomeration of ideas. Successful management of today's increase in diversity must be woven into the fabric of the organization.References1. Lockwood, NC (2005). Diversity in the Workplace: Harnessing the Power of Difference for Competitive Advantage. SHRM Research Quarterly.2. Mor Barak, M.E. (2005). Managing diversity: towards a globally inclusive workplace. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.3. Australian Center for International Trade. (2001). Diversity management: overview. ((http://www.diversityaustralia.gov.au/_inc/doc_pdf/diversity_management.pdf)4. Gardenswartz & Rowe. Statement of philosophy and approach to diversity in the workplace. (http://www .gardenswartzrowe.com/about.html)5..)