28/03/2022
Despite the emphasis placed on diversity over the last few years, the needle is moving too slow. Perhaps change can be accelerated by showing how diversity can drive extraordinary value.
1. Qualify the room
Get the right people in the room, give them all the information they need to fully contribute to the topic, and create an environment where it’s easy for them to express their views.
2. Don’t speak first
As a leader, it’s important to empower and encourage people to contribute before they have the benefit of knowing your position. Only the most resilient and robust individuals will contradict or offer alternatives to a strong leader, once that leader has shown her hand.
3. Listen objectively
What can I learn from this?
What am I hearing that I hadn’t considered previously?
How can this perspective improve our current position?
4. Draw in the quiet ones
Many people don’t like to talk in group forums. They need to learn to, and as a leader you need to teach them how. Although it might be safer and less confrontational to send an email to express their views, people only bring true value when they allow their ideas to be challenged.
5. Show a willingness to shift
When something changes your mind, or improves your understanding of an issue, be explicit about the fact that you’re changing your mind based on their input. This will encourage people to contribute in the future. If you don’t constantly demonstrate a willingness to be convinced of an opinion other than your own, people will stop offering theirs.
6. Encourage robust debate
Respectful, robust debate is the means by which alternative viewpoints are uncovered and challenged. Help your people to become more confident by rewarding them for engaging in this way.
Public praise and one-on-one reinforcement can motivate someone to up the ante in their contribution, because they understand why it’s important and they’re prepared to take a little personal risk to see that unfold.
By Martin G. Moore