Putting Our Differences to Work by Debbe Kennedy

ECONOMY: The Power of DIFFERENCES

See my article in...
Diversity Executive magazine
"Dimensions of Difference" by Debbe Kennedy 
 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mediatec/de_200811/
The struggle to get along, to find new ways to work together, to cooperate, collaborate, and communicate are not new. These are part of our human story on all fronts. With the economic crisis at hand, it is essential that all of us learn to use the power of our differences as a catalyst for a speedy recovery and the new innovations that will help set a new course in our organizations, communities, and across the world.

This is the topic explored in my article in Diversity Executive magazine, "Dimensions of Difference ." It features insight from futurist and filmmaker, Joel A. Barker and practical examples of excellence from individuals leading the way at HP and IBM.

Today, things have changed and for organizations, the stakes are much higher. The realities of distributed, increasingly diverse workplaces, marketplaces, and communities, have brought with them the demand for leaders at every level to master these basic fundamentals. As cutting-edge global, market-driven strategies have become the single-minded focus in many organizations, it is clear that they, perhaps unintentionally, have pushed the notion of “people being our greatest assets” into the background. And in some cases it's become "out of sight; out of mind."

Unfortunately, this reality is showing up in so many places as we watch the implications of the economy unfold. Each one of us, across business and society, has an opportunity to be part of the change that lies ahead. Do you want to help?

My book, Putting Our Differences to Work: The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance is a guidebook for anyone wanting be sure they have the the critical leadership skills required to take advantage of the great opportunities that will be unfolding as we work together find the solutions that will bring about economic recovery and a new prosperity across the world. Those who will lead the way are leaders that have mastered the art of putting differences to work.

Are you ready?

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center
and Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work

 Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ June 2008 – Hardcover
ORDER a copy at AMAZON.COM

Putting Our Differences to Work was selected as as among
"the very top business books" by BUSINESS BOOK REVIEW

Also available in DIGITAL DOWNLOAD at Berrett-Koehler

TWO VISIONARIES: The Time for Change has Come!

What is it about some people that have the distinctive ability to reach into the future to not only see the VIEW for themselves, but to help us see it too?  Throughout history leaders with this gift have helped us put our differences to work to achieve greatness in the face of significant difficulties. I've learned from many and written about them. I admit at the moment I'm dazzled by two visionaries that have boldly taken center stage with their new thinking and new ideas for INNOVATION. Coming to us with unique vantage points, each of them invites us to see the PROMISE in tomorrow in ways that ignite the human spirit... in ways that influence a COMMON PURPOSE that we've needed so badly. They both call for fundamental changes in approach and how we think, behave, and operate:

POLITICAL VISIONARY:
Barack Obama, President-Elect of the United States of America
It would be hard to deny that this month has been anything less than filled with great promise for the United States and the world. For one clear reason...we were engaged in a shared experience of electing a new President with the whole world watching and cheering with us--- a new President for all of us with a family that mirrors our diverse and inclusive ideals in the US --- and reaches out to greet the world with a new philosophy. Even with all the uncertainty and harsh realities of our economic meltdown, wars, and many avenues of crisis, having a new President-elect Barack Obama, with a mandate and a vision of a new direction for our country, has left many of us elated in its PROMISE --- a relief from years of what seemed at times to be overcome with the utter darkness of war, greed, division, injustice, disrespect of our neighbors and neglect of people, needs, science, technology, the environment, and infrastructure. Millions of people demanded a fresh new approach and through the millions of votes by United States citizens, we boldly opened the way for a new beginning. This happening is meaning a new sense of unity we've long lost. See it for yourself. Now the hard work begins and we need to put all those differences to work on solving our most critical problems.     

BUSINESS VISIONARY:
Sam Palmisano, IBM's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
At the same time, Sam Palmisano invited all of us across the world, into a new bold vision of "A SMARTER PLANET: The Next Leadership Agenda" in his address to the Council on Foreign Relations in NYC on November 6. "...a period of discontinuity is, for those with courage and vision, a period of opportunity." He defined current realities for leaders. He painted a vivid picture of a SMARTER PLANET. He called for new leadership qualities. "Together, we have to consciously infuse intelligence into our decision-making and management systems...not just infuse our processes with more speed and capacity. ...I believe  we will see new leaders emerge who win not by surviving the storm, but by changing the game," he told us. Related SMARTER PLANET Videos: Share in the history of progress and the vision: Watch these videos!

My greatest hope is that these two visionaries, Barack Obama and Sam Palmisano, become strategic partners --- and are joined by other visionaries and innovators worldwide to take us into the better future than we can even imagine today. Hold that thought!

LEADERSHIP IDEAS TO GUIDE THE WAY
As I wrote in my book, Putting Our Differences to Work: The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance, the word leader has a Germanic origin meaning to "find a new path. We are seeing constant stream of promising achievements rising up from individuals and organizations across the world finding the new paths we need. Our part, as both Barack Obama and Sam Palmisano suggest, is recognizing that we have to fundamentally change the way each one of us thinks, behaves, and operates as leaders and innovators to reap the benefits of the globally integrated, interconnected world. We have to get to work together!

The next great opportunity is ours to own.

Are you ready?

I would like to be one of those "game changers," wouldn't you? 

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center
and Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work

 Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ June 2008 – Hardcover
ORDER a copy at AMAZON.COM

Putting Our Differences to Work was selected as as among
"the very top business books" for review in August, 2008.
Read it!

Also available in DIGITAL DOWNLOAD at Berrett-Koehler 

Ready to Reinvent YOURSELF?

The time for change has come! With economic crisis and the unknown looming, have you thought about reinventing yourself to be ready for your next great opportunity? With this question in mind, my NOV 11 ONLINE DIALOGUE (free and open to the public) we will focus on Change, Gratitude & Reinventing YOURSELF.

Think of the major shifts in the world as we've know it that have happened just in the last month or so --- and all that is still ahead. Uncertainty is a fact of our existence at the moment, but there is something exciting about moving beyond the status quo, yes? Join me and others for our NOV 11 ONLINE DIALOGUE focused on YOU. The plan is to put our differences to work to explore possibilities, learn from each other, and answer these questions...

How can you make CHANGE an opportunity for personal reinvention?
What role does gratitude play?
What can you do to begin? 

WHEN:  
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. PT  (1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET)
Note: We are adding a little extra time for this topic.
Informal "Virtual Break" follows. Check Global Time Clock

No fees, but registration is required, so we can send login information to you. 
To register to attend, click on link below
Note: Allow a few seconds for the registration to come up.

https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/0000011799/Registration.aspx?pageName=srm9ns958dmdc260

This month's Putting Our Differences to Work Online Dialogue is sponsored by our Women in the Leadprogram(WIL) at the Global Dialogue Center. Maureen Simon of Maureen Simon Consulting and contributing author from our Women in the Lead Inspiration BLOG, will be joining me. Our special guest interview is Gloria Young, President of Young & Lamay Associates. She will help us seed our conversation with her insight and inspiring journey.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center
author, Putting Our Differences to Work

new book!
Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ June 2008 – Hardcover
ORDER a copy at AMAZON.COM

Putting Our Differences to Work was selected as as among
"the very top business books" for review in August, 2008.
Read it!

Also available in DIGITAL DOWNLOAD at Berrett-Koehler