Diversity of Thought

The best, most creative, most competitive ideas happen when we allow diverse perspectives to emerge. Recently, the Global Women's Leadership Forum (www.globalwlf.com) held a Forum hosted by Motorola where the topic was Diversity of Thought--The Competitive Business Advantage and Catalyst for Success. Close to 100 female executive women from Fortune 500 companies, and several executive men gathered to define what diversity of thought means to the sustainability and success of future business.

The day began with Jeanette Kilo Smith, VP Global Inclusion and Diversity of Motorola who offered that full engagement  of all employees is necessary particularly in this economy. She demonstrated very eloquently diversity of thought and its connection to perspective.

Lisa Bacus, VP Marketing, American Family Insurance talked about the importance of Employee Resource Groups and their ability to provide measurable results in an organization utilizing diversity of thought and perspective to generate new ideas which create new business and reach new customers. Lisa shared that "our life experiences create diversity of thought and perspective that needs to be vocalized and shared to energize an organization.

Lucy Sanders, CEO/Co Founder,National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) gave the lunchtime keynote. Lucy shared incredible statistics specific to the inadequate number of women at the table--particularly in technology. As part of the solution, Lucy suggested that we clearly need to engage young women and girls int he STEM programs in schools ( (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)  to provide the diversity of thought needed at the design table for innovative ideas. Lucy also talked about unconscious bias which impacts all of  us as leaders and as individual contributors--whether we are aware of it or not. Sources confirm that businesses benefit from diversity of thought in innovation.
Other essential thought leaders who contributed wisdom to the meeting were:

·        Elton Ndoma-Ogar,  Diversity & Inclusion Manager, North America, BP

·        Karen Tandy ,  Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Motorola

·        Tyronne Stoudemire , Global Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Hewitt Associates

 

What does diversity of thought mean to you? Do you see evidence within your organization that diversity of thought is solicited and encouraged? I'll be interested to hear your response.



For more information on the acceleration of women in business go to http://maureenobrienspeaks.com