How to put our differences to work

✍ Scribed by Debbe Kennedy

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Weight: 195 KB
• Volume: 2009
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1087-8149
• DOI: 10.1002/ltl.330

✦ Synopsis

t is widely acknowledged that diversity and inclusion make important contributions to organizations, but did you know they have taken on a new significance? organizations and individuals all over the world are discovering that knowledge and know-how for putting differences to work is a critical skill and the most powerful accelerator for generating new ideas, creating innovative solutions, executing organizational strategies, and engaging everyone in the process. Business is at the threshold of a new frontier that draws innovation, leadership, diversity, and inclusion into a powerful foursome. In over a decade of ongoing collaborative research and practical experiments, futurist and filmmaker Joel Barker and I have explored this territory together. He defined the compelling business case in 2000: "Societies and organizations [and individuals] that most creatively incorporate diversity will reap the rewards of innovation, growth, wealth, and progress."

In an increasing number of studies and practical experiments across all sectors, we are learning that innovation lies at the intersection of human differences. In its broadest sense, diversity encompasses everything from thinking styles, problem-solving approaches, experiences, competencies, work habits, and management styles to ethnic origins, cultural backgrounds, and gen-erational insight, as well as all the traditional diversity considerations and everything that makes us who we are. (See Figure 1.) the big question for leaders: How do we master the fastest way to innovation by putting all these differences to work? a number of possibilities are readily accessible.