“Diversity in Productivity: Inclusive Leadership – Managing Diverse Teams to Optimize Productivity” was moderated by Mr. Leon Bian, a Fellow of WAPS and KSF Forum Coordinator. 

Our three speakers offered strikingly diverse perspectives during the discussions, exemplifying real-world diversity.  

Prof. Angela Lee presented extensive research data on the relationship between diversity and productivity, spanning a range of topics from academic collaboration to developmental psychology, agricultural practices in the Netherlands, workforce diversity in Belgium, and industry-specific studies in Taiwan. She concluded that the impact of diversity is a complex issue, with its effects varying depending on the industry context.

Mr. Rajesh Varma emphasized his belief in diversity, stating that it is not merely a moral imperative but also a sound business strategy. He provided various examples of how he has prioritized diversity within the investment management sector. Mr. Varma acknowledged that different countries possess distinct cultural values, noting that the norms in Scandinavian nations, for instance, can vary significantly from those found in Asian countries. According to McKinsey's 2019 business-case findings, top-quartile companies with ethnically and culturally diverse executive teams outperformed their fourth-quartile counterparts by 36% in profitability.

Ms. Flora Mutahi, an expert on the region, observed that the African continent is remarkably diverse, encompassing a wide range of ethnicities, languages, religions, genders, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and skill sets. She shared her experiences founding the "Women in Manufacturing" program, which helps women scale their businesses. She empowers women and youth by helping them gain access to funding, capacity-building opportunities, and professional networking.