Team A
Team A consists of four friends who like Baseball and Soccer. They form a sales company with generic products. What network do they have for their products? What would happen to their business during two weeks of World Cup Soccer or World Series of Baseball?
Team B
Team B members have some interest in Baseball or Soccer, but have other diverse interests. How would sales in their networks compare to Team A? Would a major distraction of one member affect the performance of the rest of the team?
Inclusion & Diversity
It is easy to see that a more Inclusive and Diverse team would produce greater results. Now replace Baseball and Soccer with different factors such as Race or Religion. What would these teams be able to achieve in their communities you are trying to reach? The farther reach of interests from Team B would connect them to more community events, opportunities, and people than Team A would reach, as Team A most likely keeps to smaller circle of contacts. The diverse views that come with Team B would mean greater insight into business challenges and solutions. More questions from different points of views will make stronger decisions.
Another weakness also exists for Team A; while focused on their common beliefs, cannot react or take advantages on opportunities outside of that focus. Team B with a much larger diverse outlook and react to more opportunities due to their larger footprint of interests.
Success
In order to Succeed, being able to sell or service to, or through a broader network of people is important. This is better achieved if the team is structured as Inclusive and Diverse as possible. Whether your team is a Board of Directors, Restaurant, Department or Community Group, the power of Inclusion and Diversity works.
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