Are you worried that your workplace isn’t as diverse as it could be? If you’re having a hard time promoting inclusivity, diversity games can help. The best diversity-inspired activities force people to put themselves in someone else’s shoes and see the world from a whole different perspective. It might sound pretty heady, but many diversity games are as immersive and enjoyable as regular team-building activities. Keen to make games a key component of your diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training? Read on for everything you need to know.
What is Diversity at Work?
A diverse workforce brings together employees from various ethnic backgrounds, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. A business that prides itself on inclusivity should also be a champion for diversity. Inclusive communication that fosters a sense of togetherness and equality goes a long way in leaving employees feeling safe, supported, and able to thrive.
Why is Diversity in a Team Important?
When it comes to the makeup of a team, DEI importance can’t be stressed enough. A diverse team naturally brings with it a wide variety of experiences and fresh perspectives which can help overcome project bottlenecks and productivity dips. However, you’ll need to use virtual workplace engagement for connecting team members who are having trouble communicating.
19 Best Virtual Diversity Games and Activities
Looking for fun-filled team-building activities that also promote diversity and inclusion? We’ve got plenty of suggestions for you to try:
1. Diversity Bingo
A popular choice for groups looking to celebrate diversity online, this take on bingo swaps out numbers for descriptors. Teams then have to mingle in order to find a suitable match they can tick off their card, learning sensitivity along the way.
2. Two Truths and a Lie
One of the most popular ice-breaking games of all time, Two Truths and a Lie is exactly what it sounds like. Each player reveals three statements, but only two are true. Everyone else has to guess which one’s the lie.
3. Diversity Scavenger Hunt
Virtual scavenger hunts are surprisingly effective. Hide a trail of digital breadcrumbs online or in the folders of your shared servers, using diversity and inclusion as your inspiration. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month at work.
4. Worldview Walk
One of the benefits of working remotely is that your entire team can enjoy virtual escapes together. Use slides, video clips, and more to reveal insights into faraway cultures or marginalized groups.
5. Privilege Poker
Split a deck of cards and assign each participant one. They’ll then stick this to the foreheads, with the only clue as to which card they have is how well everyone else treats them. A lowly two of spades will barely get a sideward glance, whereas a king will be treated like royalty.
6. What’s My Bias?
Ask participants to take part in online personality tests that will help them understand biases they never knew they had.
7. Diverse Dilemmas
If you have a diverse workforce, bring the group together and encourage everyone to share personal stories about difficult dilemmas they’ve faced in their lifetime.
8. Global Pictionary
Take pictionary to the next level with a global twist that celebrates far-flung corners of the world and exotic cultures.
9. Movie Mashup
Film nights are a welcome treat for remote employees. Make your next get-together more inclusive by celebrating the best in world cinema.
10. Life Mosaic
Life Mosaic is a charitable organization that helps indigenous peoples continue to thrive in the corners of the world they’ve called home for centuries. The organization is always looking for collaborators, so check to find out what endeavors you and your team can get involved in remotely.
11. Inclusive Storytelling
A storytelling workshop is a great tool for helping underrepresented minorities find their voice. When you put the focus on diversity and inclusivity, you’re providing a safe space for these people to come forward with their own experiences.
12. Explore Global Cultures Through Food
Every country has its signature dishes and staple cuisine. Take a gastronomic tour of the globe by hosting virtual tasting events with a decidedly international flavor.
13. Host a Diversity Themed Virtual Lunch
Can’t find an available slot for a global tasting experience? Why not fold it into a diversity-themed lunch event instead?
14. Diversity Quizzes
If you’ve hosted any webinars or offered any training content to your employees, use quickfire rounds of trivia to challenge their recall.
15. The 5-Word Language Challenge
If you work remotely, there’s a very good chance that your workforce speaks at least a few different languages. Set everyone a task to learn five new words from a colleague who speaks a language other than their own.
16. Remote Holiday Celebrations
Different cultures have a different slant on popular holidays. Break down barriers by asking certain members of your team for an insight into how they spend the holidays.
17. Family Photo Albums
Nothing tells someone’s life story like a photo album. Instead of bog standard baby pics, ask your employees to raid their albums for family snaps going back decades.
18. Never Have I Ever
A classic ice-breaker and a good fit for online get-togethers, this game tasks players to reveal an activity they’ve never actually partaken in. Put a diversity-inspired twist on things by framing your questions around religion, sexuality, and nationality
19. Multicultural Music Fest
Many audiophiles are too English-centric when it comes to playlists. Mix things up by exploring new sounds in foreign tongues. You might even find your new favorite album.
Start Planning Your Next Diversity Games with Gloww
Ready to reap the benefits of a more diverse and inclusive workforce? It’s time to make diversity games your next online team-building activity. With Gloww, you’ll find a video conferencing platform with all the tools and features you need to host memorable diversity-inspired events for your remote teams.
Start from scratch and create your own session, or delve into our extensive library of ready-made templates for some inspiration. Tailor your own bespoke diversity games or turn to tried and tested classics like trivia and hangman. You can even bring in a virtual buzzer to up the ante.
You can get started with your diversity planning today. Keen to explore other ways Gloww can help you? Take a look at our premium pricing tiers to learn about Gloww’s advanced features. Got a question? Drop us a message.
FAQs
What exactly are virtual inclusion and diversity activities?
Many traditional diversity and inclusion games can be played over video conferencing software, such as Gloww.
What virtual inclusion and diversity activities should I try?
Knowledge-sharing activities like lunch and learns, webinars, and panel discussions are a great way of spreading the message of inclusivity and promoting diversity.
How can you promote diversity when working virtually?
Make sure you’re actively celebrating every employee, regardless of how they identify. Even though it’s virtual, your workplace should feel like a safe space where people are allowed to be themselves. Advocating the use of pronouns is a good low-key way of promoting diversity, while ongoing diversity and inclusivity training can also help.
