To embrace diversity, start with "Where To"

This writing was inspired by the anime One Piece. Fair warning on mild spoilers ahead

The Straw Hat Pirates, a motley crew of spirited, ambitious, and boisterous individuals, had been sailing the vast and unpredictable seas for an extended period. Led by the indomitable Monkey D. Luffy, their captain, the crew was a unique assembly of individuals, each with their own dreams and aspirations. While Luffy's unwavering determination was to find the legendary treasure known as the One Piece and claim the coveted title of Pirate King, the other crew members had their own distinct reasons for venturing into the perilous waters of the Grand Line.

After facing innumerable challenges and overcoming adversities - from sea monsters, to mutant fish men, to corrupt marines)? the Straw Hat Pirates finally reached the entrance to the Grand Line. They said the each other "We need to say something to mark this occasion". As they stood united on the deck of their ship, the Going Merry, they placed one foot on a barrel and each of them confirmed why he or she was on this journey to begin with.

Sanji, the debonair blond-haired man in a suit, the official cook of the Going Merry, held the aspiration of witnessing the All Blue—an extraordinary location within the Grand Line where all four oceans converged, promising an abundance of diverse marine life. This dream was kindled by his mentor's sacrifice, who lost a leg while protecting Sanji during his early years.

Roronoa Zoro, despite the adversity he faced, carried a burning desire to become the greatest swordmaster the world had ever seen. His dream was inherited from a formidable rival, a girl who had once been his constant sparring partner and inspiration. She passed away, and in her memory, Zoro embarked on a journey of relentless training and unwavering determination, eager to face the most formidable swordsmen within the Grand Line.

Nami, the talented and resourceful navigator, bore the emotional burden of a traumatic past, marked by the murder of her adoptive mother. Despite the pain of her history, Nami discovered her purpose in mapping the world through her exceptional navigation skills—a driving force that guided her through the perilous waters of the Grand Line.

Usopp, known for his long nose and vivid imagination, clung to a simple yet profound dream of becoming a pirate captain, driven by tales of adventure and discovery that had captivated his youthful heart.

You see, all this while, the motivational gurus of today would tell us that, people in an organization need to adopt the same purpose. The common “why” if you prefer. And yet, time and again, we have people with diverse dreams and purposes, band together to overcome challenges because they recognize that they are all on the same boat heading to the same direction.?The same “Grand Line”, The same “Where To”.

The "foot on a barrel" scene was a powerful and emotional testament to the unbreakable bond between the crew members, who were now bound together by a shared “where to” rather than “why”. As they set sail into the unknown, they embraced their differences, recognizing that their unity lay not in uniformity of dreams, but rather in their shared destination.

This principle, embodied by the Straw Hat Pirates, holds true in any organization with a diverse array of members, each driven by their distinct goals, values, and motivations for joining. Embracing this diversity, as seen in Luffy's crew, empowers every member to contribute their unique strengths and qualities.

So long as these individual purposes, values and goals are noble and virtuous, and as long as everyone comprehends and wholeheartedly contributes to the organization's trajectory, unity and success can be achieved. Just as Luffy's crew exemplifies, empowering each member to pursue their dreams while collectively striving for a shared destination, akin to sailing the Grand Line, ?is the key to their unwavering and inspiring camaraderie.