Innovating through Diversity – what are your hobbies?

Specialists in their methodology

After working in entertainment and advertising for over 20 years, I have run into this scenario too many times. If a fashion-shoot features bright red winter sweaters, you’d better not hire a photographer that shows you a resume with blue swimwear. There is no denying that everyone has their specialties and areas of comfort, but this is also the reason why every car has the same drivetrain methodology, and most management structures are still from the industrial revolution.

Innovation through Diversity

The exception are the renegades. Entrepreneurs that experiment with diversity. Unrelentless passion driving collaboration. They come from different industries and bring fresh ideas. Diversity in this case goes even further. Not just where we went to school or grew up, or the influence of our ethnic background. Idols we follow, and religions we pray with. But the books we read, the friends we keep, the hobbies we follow, and the sports we play. The dreams we have, and the challenges we face.

Brainstorming to Innovate

The ability to brainstorm and land on innovative ideas needs to be developed. Not in school or on the job training. Rather through living life, and experiencing diversity day in and out. 

That is why we encourage three-week minimum vacations and offer travel incentives. We want our coworkers to experiment and explore. Drop the home repair to-do list and re-energize through the diverse wonders of our world.

So when looking through those shiny resumes, accomplishments, and good grades, during that last interview, did you ask “what hobbies do you play with and where?”

How do you practice diversity?

#Diversity #Innovation #endoStrategy #GrumpyLemon