When I was in Australia last week for a meeting with my global consulting strategy group, it hit home that there is power in diversity. We represent 4 countries (Australia, Japan, U.S. and Canada), a diverse group of company types (from tiny to Fortune 100 businesses ranging from manufacturing to healthcare to nonprofit/ government), a diverse group of specialties (strategy, innovation, organizational change, financial performance etc.) and more. Diverse viewpoints definitely add value!
I joined the group around 3 years ago. At the time, I was the only woman (although another joined shortly after), and our mentor said he thought I’d add a unique value for that reason in addition to others. I didn’t see his point until I was the only woman for a brief period of time, and it turned out he was right! I also have received significant value from the group members who have the least in common with me – a fresh perspective can go a long way! Along the way, I’ve noticed that some of the best feedback comes from unlikely sources. Have you sought out diversity, even when it isn’t comfortable?
One tip to implement this week:
Let’s start by thinking about the groups and people we interact with on a monthly basis. Are we hanging out with people who are just like us? For example, there is a member of my group who does practically the same thing as I do, just in Australia. He is easy to talk to (of course), and he adds a unique value because he understands my questions/concerns but if the group was full of these people, I imagine I would have received only 20% of the value to date.
It is easy for us to become comfortable with people like us and not seek out diverse, sometimes scary opinions from others. For example, I remember when one group member pushed back on my comments, and I truly didn’t agree at the time but when I listened to the session again in the car a few months later, I realized he was right. I just wasn’t understanding and/or ready to think about it at the time. How many of these have you ignored, thinking you were right?
Although I see great value in the global nature of my group, it isn’t because I focus on having a global practice (although part of my practice focuses on international/ global corporations). Instead, it simply brings a diverse viewpoint – even if I worked 100% in my hometown and never strayed (as one of our members does in a small Australian town), I’d get huge value from thinking differently. He has no desire to move beyond his hometown yet he said our group is one of his most important priorities.
Don’t think about diversity in the light they talk about on the news. How many Fox News and CNN people listen to both programs? Actually I’ve heard more Australians who tell me they listen to both to understand than I’ve heard Americans. Instead, why not embrace that next person you think “on, no! I don’t want him/her in my group” and see what happens and whether you gain a diverse perspective. I bet 80% of the time, you’ll feel better off in the long run. And, remember, one bad apple (the 20%) doesn’t make a trend.
November 27, 2018