Workplace Diversity: The Star Wars Model!
Welcome Aboard, Chewbacca! Can you find a more diverse place than the world of Star Wars movies? You may not have a Wookie to onboard at your workplace (or maybe you do!) but you are likely to have colleagues with diverse backgrounds, orientations, training and life experiences. As software developers like to say, this diversity isn’t a bug - it's a feature!
Luke Skywalker & The Scooter A teenager’s pastime of hunting critters on a small flying scooter in his homeworld becomes the lynchpin for the strategy to defeat the Death Star. Turning to your team and mining the beneficial life experiences and cross-training from past jobs and other fields of work offers a diversity of “Talent Stack” that richly rewards managers who can leverage these gifts in achieving their company’s mission. You have more tools in your team’s collective toolbox than you may imagine.
Hans Solo in the Bar This lovable scoundrel pushes the limits of what’s legal but knows how to enter a rough place and negotiate safe passage out of dangerous territory for his ship and motley crew. Sometimes desperate circumstances require out-of-the-box thinking! Creative solutions often come from those on your team who may have a low tolerance for rule-following, but who can creatively solve for new solutions that move the team forward. Consider both normal and unusual alternatives when facing difficult team challenges.
Princess Leia & The Death Star Most of us do not have a mission to save the galaxy from an evil empire. But it can feel like that sometimes! Strong leaders appreciate the diversity of thought and experience that can be found in today’s workplace. As Princess Leia outlined the crazy, last-ditch-effort of a battle plan to the collection of diverse life forms preparing to take on the Death Star, she expressed her honest respect for the work and sacrifice each member of the Rebellion had to offer to the greater cause of freedom. In your workplace, be present to both the sacrifices and the worthwhile contributions of the members of your team as you conquer your challenges together!
No Wookie @ Your Workplace? Even if you never have the pleasure of on-boarding Chewbacca, you may still have much diversity to both manage and celebrate. These differences are real benefits and can richly reward your team. How best to mine these diverse talents and experiences? Well, there’s coaching for that!