“Strength lies in differences, not similarities.“ Stephen R Covey
Diversity. Simple word. Grand idea.
Research has shown that diverse teams outperform homogeneous teams in the long run. Successful businesses leverage diversity by involving everyone, facilitating cross-pollination of ideas, and creating cross-functional teams.
Even though on the surface it may seem easier to work with people of similar styles, thinking and background, diversity brings richness to a team. Leaders and team members must value, encourage, and reward diversity, thereby, increasing the capacity for global expansion and innovation.
By seeking to leverage, rather than diminish opposite forces, companies inspire innovation and find a strategic competitive advantage in an organizational and cultural context. Teams with members from different cultural, educational, and business backgrounds bring different frames of reference to a problem and have the ability to spark an exciting and dynamic cross-pollination of ideas.
But it’s important to note that a diverse team is a more creative team which comes with a cost. The potential for misunderstanding and miscommunication is greater in diverse teams, so businesses must create an environment that embraces differences.
If working professionals and leaders aren’t careful, they can easily fall into the trap of surrounding themselves with people that heavily validate their way. And yet, team creativity and completeness is achieved through a diversity of thought.
In this episode of the White Collar Therapy & Leadership Show, we had a provocative conversation about creating and sustaining unity in diversity in the workplace. Your co-hosts this week include Robb Holman, Mike Phillips, and Myself.
The White Collar Therapy & Leadership Show
Aired February 2020
Team Dynamics for a Dynamic Team
The inspiration for this session came from chapter four of Robb’s book All In – How Impactful Teams Build Trust from the Inside Out, which you can purchase on Amazon from this link. In this chapter, Robb writes about diversity and team dynamics.
About WCT
The WCT Show is a bi-weekly live streaming webcast that features a group of friends who meet in a virtual coffee shop to explore leadership challenges that they, and all of us, face in the workplace. The show is recorded and then featured on the White Collar Therapy Podcast.
The show and the podcast are intended to let you get to know the people involved, who together provide a diverse suite of leadership and personal development programs.
For more information about White Collar Therapy and how you can participate and benefit from this incredible leadership program for career-minded professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs, follow this link and consider signing up today.
