How to put our differences to work

i t is widely acknowledged that diversity and inclusion make important contributions to organizations, but did you know they have taken on a new significance? organizations and individuals all over the world are discovering that knowledge and know-how for putting differences to work is a critical skill and the most powerful accelerator for generating new ideas, creating innovative solutions, executing organizational strategies, and engaging everyone in the process. Business is at the threshold of a new frontier that draws innovation, leadership, diversity, and inclusion into a powerful foursome. In over a decade of ongoing collaborative research and practical experiments, futurist and filmmaker Joel Barker and I have explored this territory together. He defined the compelling business case in 2000: “Societies and organizations [and individuals] that most creatively incorporate diversity will reap the rewards of innovation, growth, wealth, and progress.”