The Diversity Bonus: A Superpower for Making Decisions in Hockey Management

As the world becomes more interconnected, diverse, and complex, the importance of diversity in decision-making is more critical than ever. Diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making, greater innovation, and imprved outcomes. Diversity can be a superpower that can drive success on and off the ice.

The Diversity Bonus in Hockey Management

The concept of the "diversity bonus" was first introduced by Katherine Phillips, a professor of organizational behavior at Columbia Business School. According to Phillips, teams that are diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and other factors are more innovative and creative than homogenous teams.

In hockey management, the diversity bonus can be especially valuable. A team that is diverse in terms of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is better equipped to understand and connect with a diverse range of players, fans, and stakeholders. This can lead to a better understanding of the game, more effective communication, and improved performance both on and off the ice.

Diversity in hockey management can also lead to better decision-making. When a group of people with different perspectives come together to make a decision, they are more likely to consider a wider range of options, weigh different perspectives, and ultimately make better choices.

Examples of the Diversity Bonus in Action

There are many examples of hockey teams that have leveraged the diversity bonus to drive success. The Tampa Bay Lightning, for example, have a diverse management team that includes women and people of color. This diverse team has helped the Lightning connect with a broader range of fans and players, leading to improved on-ice performance and a more engaged fan base.

The Vancouver Canucks are another team that has embraced diversity in hockey management. The team's owner, Francesco Aquilini, has made a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and the Canucks have a diverse leadership team that includes women and people of color. This commitment to diversity has helped the team connect with a wider range of fans and players, and has helped to drive success both on and off the ice.

Making Diversity a Priority in Hockey Management

While the benefits of diversity in hockey management are clear, there is still much work to be done to make diversity a priority. Hockey remains a predominantly white, male-dominated sport, and many teams are still led by homogenous leadership teams.

To make diversity a priority in hockey management, teams must make a conscious effort to recruit and promote people from diverse backgrounds. This means actively seeking out candidates from different racial, ethnic, and gender backgrounds, as well as those with different experiences and perspectives.

Teams must also make diversity and inclusion a core part of their culture. This means creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and included, regardless of their background or identity.

In conclusion, the diversity bonus can be a superpower for making decisions in hockey management. By embracing diversity and inclusion, teams can drive success on and off the ice, connect with a broader range of fans and players, and ultimately make better decisions. It's time for hockey teams to make diversity a priority and harness the power of the diversity bonus to drive success in the sport.

About the Author

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Jonathan Paul is an accomplished attorney, a Michigan Ross Executive MBA graduate, a former prosecutor, a certified executive coach, and a leader in the hockey world. Jonathan is a trusted advisor and mentor to hockey players, coaches, and organizations. Jonathan is the author of The Power Play of Positivity: Unleashing Success in Hockey Leadership, available on Amazon - https://a.co/d/9dZNGxM