Square Peg in a Round Hole

" I am looking for someone who bring is change" , "Who thinks differently from me", " I want someone who can bring in a refreshing new environment here", " Differences can help us innovate better "...Heard of these words coming from leaders? I have heard them in plenty in many discussions, interviews, conferences, talkshows. But really how much are we really inclusive?

We invest heavy amounts of time, money and effort to bring is a person is is different from us in terms of skills, expertise, energy levels and experience. Once they are in , we then invest another set of time, efforts and money to onboard them. In the process of onboarding them, we tend to iron out their differences and make them one among us. We trim their differential edges and force fit them in our tightly framed circles. Some of them unlearn and relearn to fit in. Many asphyxiate and disengage.

Then is onboarding destructive towards inclusion and diversity in thought? Nope, Onboarding any new member is essential for them to feel comfortable in their new environment. It is an educative process of helping them understand the stated systems, processes and culture we believe made us successful. However during the process, it is essential to continuously listen, hear and observe the new member. They may bring is some fresh thinking, some new ways of doing things, They will help us point towards things which look obsolete, inane and overestimated. If we are able to listen to this carefully, we can steer the organization towards a better future- better still we begin to engage the new member

I have been personally involved in onboarding 1000s of colleagues in companies that I have worked in. What has worked best for me is this one question: How was your experience in with us in the last 60 days. What do you think we should change and why. The most powerful step is to take action on what we need to change. This for me has turned into a powerful question which has made Lennox be an employer of choice continuously for the past 12 years ...err the past 127 years ..12 is just in India