Have you noticed that what we need to solve our most pressing problems has been there all along? This is true with the powerful foursome of LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, DIVERSITY, and INCLUSION. Although there is plenty of evidence that we have found value in each of these individual diverse elements of both business and society, traditionally we've handled each of them separately in our work, in our lives, and our thinking—if not by our words and processes, then certainly by many of our visible actions, day-to-day practices, and behavior. We just don't commonly think about them together. One simple validation came to me when I wrote my book. I intentionally looked at dozens of books and studies in my research covering these topics. One observation I made was that although each book made important contributions to one or more of the topics, I didn't find one book that addressed the direct and important interrelationship of this powerful foursome of leadership, innovation, diversity and inclusion and how they work together.
In my independent, as well as collaborative research and practical experiments with my long-time colleague, futurist and filmmaker JOEL A. BARKER for over a decade, these conclusions have been affirmed over and over again:
* It is clear, leaders at every level, in any organization or community or family, need to learn to see DIFFERENCES differently. It is a key differentiator for the twenty-first century.
* DIVERSITY fuels innovation, the "engine of growth." INCLUSION keeps the engine running at peak performance.
* The fastest way and richest place for INNOVATION lies at the intersection of our DIFFERENCES.
* An environment of INCLUSION fosters innovation, enables leadership, generates high performance, and expands contribution.
I've always thought Joel Barker summed up the "business case" best in his landmark film, Wealth, Innovation & Diversity: “Societies and organizations [and individuals] that most creatively incorporate diversity will reap the rewards of innovation, growth, wealth, and progress.”
INSPIRING A NEW GENERATION
Recently, I had an opportunity to lead an vibrant conversation on this topic of LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, DIVERSITY, and INCLUSION at a remarkable global online dialogue called Global Pulse 2010.It was inspired by President Obama and hosted by USAID in partnership with IBM. Over 10,000 people from over 155 countries attended. There were ten forum themes. The conversation, I led fell under Inspiring a New Generation. I personally had the chance to communicate with people from over twenty-five countries. There were so many meaningful points of view offered from around the world.
One of the memorable responses came from Frances Hesselbein, President and CEO of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management). She was also contributing at the online "jam" as a executive dialogue leader. Mrs. Hesselbein is well known for being one of the pioneering champions of making the essential connection of LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, DIVERSITY, and INCLUSION in her life, work, and leadership example. She offered some excellent actionable ideas in response to one of my questions...
What actionable ideas will inspire a new generation to lead and innovate? Four Actionable IDEAS
to Inspire a New Generation to Lead and Innovate
by Frances Hesselbein
I agree with you that LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, DIVERSITY, and INCLUSION are a very powerful foursome. To address your question:
PROVIDE MEANINGFUL WORK:
The workforce of the future was brought up in a fast-moving world. They had their fingers on the pulse of changing technology. They multi-task and enjoy a challenge. They need projects that utilize their knowledge and skills, that can connect with their philosophical or deeper ... interests. They will leave when they think the job has become meaningless or that they are no longer learning and growing.
RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAMWORK AND INCLUSION:
This generation is considered the most open generation of all. Inclusion and diversity are a way of life. Millennials see themselves as part of a global community and believe that everyone belongs to this community. They want to be connected with teams at work and with customers. They are good at leveraging the efforts of others to achieve results and sharing rewards. If they are new to the workforce, it is important they are involved in teams where their contribution will be recognized and valued.
PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEAD SOONER:
This is one thing our military does very well. For example, Warren Bennis shares that he was 19 when he led his first U.S. Army Platoon in World War II in Germany. This experience showed him how critical it was to rely on his platoon members. Thrust into the situation, he learned that he needed to trust them to help him be their leader. Look for projects and assignments where Millennials have a chance to lead.
WE MUST FIND WAYS FOR MILLENNIALS TO SERVE SOCIETY:
Being true to themselves equates to personal and social responsibility. They advocate to reduce, reuse, recycle, repurpose, rescue, and remember: Reduce their carbon footprint; reuse wrapping paper, clothes, and goods that are no longer useful to others; recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum cans; repurpose everything from pill bottles to entire rooms; rescue cats and dogs from shelters; and remember those around the world who need their support, their concern. We must find ways to support this deeply felt need to help others. This is the generation for whom, “to serve is to live.”
What ACTIONABLE IDEAS can you add to inspire a new generation?
What do you think?
Leadership | INNOVATION | Diversity | Inclusion at work...
Join me and futurist Joel Barker ONLINE for Tactics of Innovation:
How to Get Buy-In for NEW IDEAS Webinar - JUNE 3. It's a professional development webinar to. Learn more...
WEBSITE: www.howtogetbuyinfornewideas.com
Warm regards to all that stop by...
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
founder, President and CEO Global Dialogue Center
and Leadership Solutions Companies
Twitter @debbekennedy @onlinedialogues author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership,
and High Performance (Berrett-Koehler 2008)
Buy a Copy at Amazon.com
Downloadable DISCUSSION GUIDE
for teams, training, reading groups
View and share VIDEO Overview
This article tell the reality of very important organization and clearly gives the reasons that what they are doing. Very information article and actions should be taken against such organizations
Posted by: Australia Pandora Beads | February 18, 2012 at 01:48 AM