Successful leaders recognize that diversity goes beyond demographics; it includes diverse thinking, a potent driver of innovation and growth. Embracing varied perspectives is vital for competitiveness in today’s dynamic business landscape.
As an executive leadership coach, I emphasize the significance of implementing seven unconventional methods to cultivate diverse thinking in organizations. These approaches ignite creativity and foster positive change. Here are my top recommendations:
Encourage Dissent and Debate: Instead of seeking consensus, encourage healthy dissent and open debate within your team. Different opinions can lead to more robust decisions and innovative solutions. Make it clear that diverse viewpoints are not only accepted but valued.
Embrace Cognitive Diversity: Look beyond traditional measures of diversity and consider cognitive diversity—varied thinking styles, problem-solving approaches, and perspectives. Build teams with individuals who bring unique intellectual strengths to the table.
Create Cross-Functional Teams: Break down silos and promote cross-functional collaboration. Encourage employees from different departments to work together on projects, fostering the exchange of diverse ideas and approaches.
Celebrate Failure as a Learning Opportunity: Shift the mindset around failure from a negative outcome to a valuable learning opportunity. Encourage experimentation and risk-taking, knowing that failure can lead to breakthroughs and innovative thinking.
Promote Inclusivity in Decision-Making: Include employees at all levels in decision-making processes. Seek input from diverse voices when making strategic choices, ensuring that decisions reflect a wide range of perspectives.
Encourage Lifelong Learning: Promote a culture of continuous learning and personal development. Provide opportunities for employees to acquire new skills and knowledge, allowing them to bring fresh insights to their roles.
Seek External Perspectives: Engage with external experts, advisors, or consultants who can provide different viewpoints and experiences. External perspectives can challenge your organization’s status quo and stimulate innovative thinking.
Creating a culture of diverse thinking is not just a buzzword but a strategic imperative for successful leaders. By making it an important issue, the best leaders are able to propel their organizations toward greater innovation, resilience, and success.
Lead From Within: In the pursuit of diverse thinking, leadership isn’t about following the norm; it’s about challenging it and embracing the extraordinary.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.