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Diversity in Business
I have read many books on the importance of diversity in the workplace. Not only does it promote creativity, it also provides a means of counteracting group-think. I have had the importance pounded into my brain at every seminar and training session I have attended. Just as we diversify our portfolios, we must also diversify our lives and circles to engage a new perspective.
What is diversity? I have heard it called many things; schools of thought, background, caste, sex, sexual orientation, race and even religion. These can all be true, but one interesting point I have never heard made that I feel may be germane to the conversation is age.
As a society we tend to generally associate gray hairs with wisdom and (Gray Hair = Wisdom?) years of experience. While this may be true, an old Greek proverb says, "Gray hair is a sign of age, not wisdom." While gray hairs do prove life experience they are not proof of good life experiences. The transient guy in the street corner may have gray hair, but you may not want to ask him what the meaning of life is.
So why do we associate gray hair with life experience and wisdom? Maybe it is the remembrance of a great-grandfather giving us sage advice as we sat on his lap as a child. There is something in our past that tells us older people are full of wisdom and certainty. I am not saying to disrespect our elders, but rather not to distinguish someone by their hair color as we don't discriminate against the color of one's skin.
So then in a group, circle of friends or workplace how do we create diversity? Maybe it starts with an introspective look into our groups, colleagues and work force to see what we are lacking. If everyone in your group is under 30 years old, consider bringing in someone with gray hair. If you are in a group that remembers the great depression, maybe its time to bring in a young face.
Life is about balance and when we can be honest with ourselves and live consciously, we can bring in the balance needed to diversify and promote our organizations.
I have read many books on the importance of diversity in the workplace. Not only does it promote creativity, it also provides a means of counteracting group-think. I have had the importance pounded into my brain at every seminar and training session I have attended. Just as we diversify our portfolios, we must also diversify our lives and circles to engage a new perspective.
What is diversity? I have heard it called many things; schools of thought, background, caste, sex, sexual orientation, race and even religion. These can all be true, but one interesting point I have never heard made that I feel may be germane to the conversation is age.
As a society we tend to generally associate gray hairs with wisdom and (Gray Hair = Wisdom?) years of experience. While this may be true, an old Greek proverb says, "Gray hair is a sign of age, not wisdom." While gray hairs do prove life experience they are not proof of good life experiences. The transient guy in the street corner may have gray hair, but you may not want to ask him what the meaning of life is.
So why do we associate gray hair with life experience and wisdom? Maybe it is the remembrance of a great-grandfather giving us sage advice as we sat on his lap as a child. There is something in our past that tells us older people are full of wisdom and certainty. I am not saying to disrespect our elders, but rather not to distinguish someone by their hair color as we don't discriminate against the color of one's skin.
So then in a group, circle of friends or workplace how do we create diversity? Maybe it starts with an introspective look into our groups, colleagues and work force to see what we are lacking. If everyone in your group is under 30 years old, consider bringing in someone with gray hair. If you are in a group that remembers the great depression, maybe its time to bring in a young face.
Life is about balance and when we can be honest with ourselves and live consciously, we can bring in the balance needed to diversify and promote our organizations.
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