Skilled Migrant Professionals December 2015

Motivation Embracing Diversity What is normal? calling the ‘Connection Economy’, where interpersonal currency is a premium and social intelligence is one of the most sought-after attributes in a leader. How well you understand and connect with people in partnership and collaboration, particularly people who are different from you, will determine the extent of your progress in this economy. This means as a leader, a manager, or an entrepreneur, your ability to relate to and leverage diversity will be critical to your success. HAVE YOU EVER FOUND YOURSELF ASKING, “WHY CAN’T EVERYONE JUST BE NORMAL?” Usually this question follows situations such as a confrontation with a difficult client, an awkward conversation with an inappropriate colleague, or even a disturbing news report that you see on TV. Whatever the circumstance, sometimes we are left scratching our How should we respond to the heads in bewilderment at the sheer incompetence, new reality of diversity? insensitivity, or general weirdness of other people. Embedded within that question is an assumption that 1. RECOGNISE THE VALUE OF DIVERSITY is never really said, but is certainly always implied, be“Embracing diversity is a means to overcome the cognicause in reality what we are asking is, “Why can’t everytive biases that prevent people from seeing new approachBy Tim one be normal… like me?” es or opportunities and engaging with them when found.” Healy, After all, you are the most normal person you know! – Andy Zynga Executive Everybody else only seems normal until you get to know In other words, embracing diversity helps us to overMinister at them. It is only then that you discover they are all just a come some of our own limitations and opens up our Riverview little bit stranger than is probably acceptable. minds to new perspectives, new ideas and new opportuChurch It serves to highlight, however, the fact that although nities. To achieve this requires us to move from resistance we may work in the same building, drive the same roads, to acceptance, from acceptance to appreciation and from live in the same town, or even inhabit the same house, we actually appreciation to celebration. all come from very different worlds and consequently we all see and experience the world in very different ways. For example, men are dif2. DISPLAY RELATIONAL CURIOSITY ferent to women, introverts are different to extroverts, and Australians “Seek to understand before seeking to be understood.” – Stephen are different to Americans. These differences are part of a reality that Covey needs to be understood and embraced, particularly when it comes to People don’t care how much you know until they know how much the twenty-first century workplace. you care, so ask investigative questions, become a student of culture, be interested in others, and desire understanding. Diversity is the new reality It’s a fact – diversity is the new normal. Cultural diversity, generational diversity, and gender diversity are all a very significant part of life and certainly an important part of life at work. More so than ever before, effective leadership and ultimately a successful business requires a high degree of social intelligence. Relationships and interpersonal interactions have long been the lifeblood of society and community, but they are now also very much the lifeblood of the economy. We are living in what many are now One final thought 3. DEMONSTRATE RELATIONAL GENEROSITY “The connection economy puts a premium on attention and on trust, neither of which is endless.” – Seth Godin Why relational generosity? Because no one wants to be around a selfish and miserable person. If you want to succeed with people and lead them well, you have to practice relational generosity. One of the most valuable things you can give somebody is the gift of your undivided attention. You can also offer them trust, acceptance, understanding, inclusion and the opportunity to be heard. For those of you feeling a little overwhelmed by change, diversity and the need to respond to it, I want to encourage you with this: SOMEONE ONCE SAID: “Children nowadays are tyrants – they gobble their food, contradict their parents, and tyrannise their teachers!” Sound like some children you know? You might be surprised to discover that Socrates spoke these words in 425 B.C., and it just goes to show that some things never change. No matter how separated we might be by culture, distance, language or age, we are nevertheless all the same at heart. We are all part of this beautiful and wonderful family called humanity and fortunately, that will never change! 32 www.smpmagazine.com.au | December 2015

Skilled Migrant Professionals December 2015 | Page 32