Even though workplace diversity has been on a constant rise, in many US offices, diversity employees are few and far between. This may cause some diversity employees to feel out of place, they may find it difficult to mesh with others in the workplace, and find it difficult to adjust to the corporate culture.

Diversity employees, particularly in an office where they are underrepresented, need to find ways to fit in because fitting in within any organization is usually detrimental to an employee’s success or failure.

Diversity employees who feel out of place at work may hold back from “rocking the boat” in the form of voicing dissent when it is clearly needed, they may hold back from volunteering for projects at work, and avoid networking with peers because they feel they don’t belong.

As a result, they may lose out on opportunities to shine through outstanding performance on such projects, they may lose out on new opportunities they may have otherwise discovered through networking, and they will lose out on their chances to demonstrate their out of the box thinking.

Here are some suggestions that will help diversity employees mesh in companies where they may be only minority employee in the organization:

1. Break the ice by talking about your diversity characteristic. In workplace conversation, you can casually bring up what it is about you that makes you different. Pointing out the subtle differences about working as the only Black woman in an all white male financial services firm in a water cooler conversation, for instance, can be a good way to let your colleagues know that you are aware that you are different and improve the comfort level of yourself and others who may be experiencing working with a minority for the first time. Breaking the ice in this manner at worst is a good conversation piece and can lead to workplace friendships and ease the process of fitting in.

2. Find chances to bond through work related issues. Every person at work is going to be different in one way or another, but odds are that you have many professional interests in common with your colleagues at work. Find the commonalties that you share with others at work and build relationships with these individuals one person at a time. You will find that by building upon those commonalities and bonding with your coworkers, the differences between you and your coworkers will be eclipsed by the similarities you have developed. Over time you will find that you have developed a valuable network of individuals who will advocate for you and help you overcome any obstacles to your success at work.

3. Join a diversity employee affinity group (or start one). If you are one of a few diversity employees at a larger company, you can usually find support with a diversity employee affinity group. Joining a diversity employee group gives you the chance to interact with people from your own culture who understand your background and the challenges you face. Most diversity employees find it easier to talk to members of their diversity group about culture-related issues, to ask the questions they may be hesitant to ask their mainstream colleagues and bosses, and to vent some of the diversity issue related frustrations they may be having.
   
   If your company doesn’t have any diversity employee affinity groups, ask how you can start one. Not only will this demonstrate that you are committed to helping your company achieve workplace diversity, but you may also find that you company is very willing to support you in your efforts by providing a modest budget and a place and a time where your group can meet. But if you can’t join an existing diversity employee group at your company or start a new one, you should join an outside diversity employee affinity group that is related to your profession.

4. Keep an open mind. Try to be objective when assessing the comments and actions people direct at you. If you suspect you're being treated unfairly because of your race, ethnicity, gender, disability, etc., seek the advice and viewpoint of one of your trusted friends or colleagues. Don’t arbitrarily assume that every negative you experience at work is directly related to your diversity. Doing so could jeopardize relationships with potential allies at work and could ultimately affect your success within an organization. Keep an open mind and fully investigate difficult situations before you pass judgment.

5. Always view your diversity as an asset. Despite what you may think, your employer hired you because of your qualifications for the position. The fact that you are a diversity employee is the icing on the cake. The key is for you to find opportunities where you can leverage your diversity so as to make yourself more valuable to your organization.
   
   As a diversity employee, you may see opportunities where others do not. Make sure to identify these opportunities and bring them up to your employer. Over time you will find that you are more tightly in the loop at work, and more opportunities for career advancement will present themselves to you.