I love where I live; I have family and friends, opportunities to explore my interests, and a great academic community that challenges and enlightens me. But, that does not mean it is perfect. Nothing is. When I push my perspective on everything that is a part of my life right now, I have to be honest about something that bothers me: I think my community lacks diversity.
I hope my community changes to reflect a greater demographic. I would like to see and engage with people who reflect different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. Diversity among political ideologies, socio-economic realities, and sexual identities and develop stronger understandings of the world. As much as I have tried to make myself aware of the nuances and differences that exist in the world, and as much as my professors introduce ideas and concepts that span spectrums of beliefs and convictions, I value the experience of living it all. I want to understand the world as best I can, because I want to discover my place in it and how I can contribute to it.
The article ‘How Diversity Can Drive Innovation’ from the Harvard Business Review expanded my understanding of diversity. Using survey results from 1,800 professionals, 40 case studies, focus groups, and interviews, it scrutinized two forms of diversity: inherent and acquired. Inherent diversity involves traits you were born with (e.g. gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation). Acquired diversity involves traits you gain from experience (such as studying in another country). Companies whose leaders exhibit at least three inherent and three acquired traits are referred to as having two-dimensional diversity. By correlating diversity in leadership and market outcomes, results showed 2-D companies out-innovated and out-performed others. 2-D diversity “unlocks innovation by creating an environment where ‘outside-the-box’ ideas are heard.”
I believe that the principles of diversity extend beyond the confines of the business world and resonate deeply within communities. Just as diverse leadership can propel a business towards innovation and success, fostering diversity within communities can likewise lead to similar growth.
If I could adjust my community, I would adjust the homogeneity. If a community moves toward diversity— in its many forms — it is stronger. I think if a distinctive community is built, we can share purpose if not common background. Where a community diverges, I actually believe it converges; dissimilarities will help produce a community that appreciates differences.