Think Different: Why Leaders Should Celebrate Divergent Practices
Stop Searching for Clones - Diversity Drives Innovation
"Diversity of thought is the key to organizational resilience. When you embrace divergent practices, you open the door to creativity, innovation, and superior performance." - Margaret Chen, Leadership Strategist (Rethinking Leadership for the 21st Century, 2023)
Met a leader at the conference I was at last week who was grousing about this "new normal". This person knew what they liked and liked what they knew and as a leader, it can be tempting to try and impose a single, rigid way of doing things. After all, consistency and predictability seem like virtues when you're trying to keep a team on track and performing at their best.
However, I've found that the most successful leaders are those who actively embrace diversity of thought and approach within their organizations. By fostering an environment that celebrates divergent practices, you can unlock untapped creativity and performance from your team.
Think about it - if everyone on your team thinks and works the same way, you're limiting the range of ideas and solutions that can be brought to the table. But when you encourage people to bring their unique perspectives and methods, you open the door to breakthroughs you never could have imagined.
I listened to success stories all week. The marketing manager who insisted on a radical new campaign approach. The process engineer who questioned the conventional design wisdom that resulted in time and cost savings. The salesperson who developed an unconventional customer engagement strategy that opened up new target markets.
Rather than shut these divergent voices down, the best leaders listen closely, consider the merits, and give people the space to explore alternative paths. Because you never know which crazy idea just might be the key to unlocking your next big success.
Of course, this doesn't mean you should allow complete chaos to reign. There still needs to be an overarching vision and alignment on core goals and values. But within that framework, make space for divergence, debate, and experimentation. Celebrate the fact that your team members don't all look, think, and work the same way.
Ultimately, embracing diversity of thought and practice is not just good for morale - it's good for business. So as a leader, make it a priority to foster an environment where new ideas can thrive. Your team (and your bottom line) will thank you for it.