Leadership for a Fractured World: How to Cross Boundaries, Build Bridges, and Lead Change by Dean WIlliams

Author:Dean WIlliams [WIlliams, Dean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Published: 2015-02-15T22:00:00+00:00

Think Like an Alchemist—Experiment to Get the Right Mix of People

To maximize the chance of success in harnessing the power of diversity, you must think like an alchemist and experiment with different combinations to see which mix generates the most creative outcomes.

Alchemy was a discipline that captivated some of the greatest minds of the Renaissance. The alchemists were the forerunners of modern science, and even Sir Isaac Newton dabbled in the mysterious art. They conducted unusual experiments mixing different chemicals and concoctions in the pursuit of new compounds and knowledge. Occasionally things blew up, but every now and then their experiments generated a remarkable breakthrough, such as finding the secret ingredients in European porcelain, or discovering that disease was not caused by an imbalance of the four bodily humors, or fluids, but harmful external agents that attacked the body and could be treated with natural remedies. The alchemists even gained insights into the anatomy and function of the brain.15 Their perseverance, imagination, and willingness to experiment using different ingredients illustrate how you need to go about harnessing the power of diversity.

The research on diversity reinforces the view that the people who do best in diverse groups are curious, flexible, and open to novel experiences. Such people generally are not threatened by difference but actually have positive regard for people who are different from themselves, and they welcome being exposed to the unfamiliar as an opportunity to learn. They are also less anxious in situations of urgency, high ambiguity, and complexity.16

As you think about the mix you need, consider unique perspectives that can add dynamism to the problem-solving process. For example, mixing Millennials who grew up with social media with baby boomers who have experience navigating organizational politics can be a potent, mutually beneficial mix. Ideological or factional diversity can also be a source of creativity. President Abraham Lincoln famously created a “Team of Rivals” by appointing his three biggest opponents to his cabinet.17 Each powerful in his own right, these men had clashing ideologies, styles, and personalities. Lincoln sensed that by harnessing diversity in his cabinet, he could generate enough creativity and shared commitment to end slavery and the Civil War—and this approach succeeded. Managing his team of rivals, however, was riddled with tension, but Lincoln handled it well. As a “political alchemist,” he knew the strengths and weaknesses that each man brought to the table. He encouraged them to present their perspectives openly with one another and engage in healthy debate, as rancorous as it was occasionally. And, even though members of his team sometimes were spiteful and attacked Lincoln for their own political advantage, he had the temperament to rise above the jabs without taking it personally, continuing to work with them for the greater good. He saw his role as to manage the problem-solving and political processes by orienting his team to the higher purpose and helping them to overcome their petty rivalries and political differences to focus on the larger adaptive challenges facing the nation.

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