Monday Reflections: The Diversity Bonus

“… my eyes have seen your salvation.”
— Gospel according to Luke, chapter 2, verse 30

Diversity is not just an ideological pursuit. Diversity has a positive, direct impact on our organizations, making them more resilient and creative. (Photo by the Rev. Anita Mays)

Recently at church, we read the story of when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple for the first time. There, the Gospel of Luke tells us, two elderly persons came to confirm to Mary how special this boy was. The pastor helped us think about how different the people who surrounded Jesus were. Her reflection was that Jesus’ message was intended for all, regardless of social status, race, age, or gender. As I thought more about this story, I also reflected on how this same diversity contributed to and expanded Jesus’ message to a global audience. Diversity strengthens and expands our message.

A more recent example has been put forward by historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. In her book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, she argues that Lincoln’s cabinet, which was composed of his presidential rivals, was the asset that most contributed to Lincoln’s agenda, especially the abolition of slavery. There, she writes,

“Lincoln understood the importance, as one delegate put it, of integrating,
‘all the elements of the Republican party — including the impracticable, the Pharisees,
the better-than-thou declaimers, the long-haired men and the short-haired women.'”

Later concluding,

“Good leadership requires you to surround yourself with people of diverse perspectives
who can disagree with you without fear of retaliation.”

In the prologue to his book, The Diversity Bonus, Scott Page describes the benefits of diversity. In addition to its social justice implications, diversity is a conduit for multiple perspectives that paint more holistic alternatives to problem-solving and innovation. Abraham Lincoln understood this principle. In telling the story of the Gospel, Luke conveyed this same idea. Diversity is not just an ideological pursuit. Diversity has a positive, direct impact on our organizations, making them more resilient and creative.

How does your team help you think outside the box? How does your team expand the mission God has given to your organization?

Prayer

God of us all, you have made this diverse world, letting us enjoy all the hues of creation. Help us enjoy this diversity while honoring it as a tool to fulfill the vocation you have given us. Amen.