The workplace is one of the last great melting pots – companies hire a diverse group of people who then respond to a strong incentive to get along. The trick is for leaders to learn the strengths and weaknesses of their team and manage them appropriately. And creatively. There will be outgoing employees – they’re like an open book. There will be introverts – they need a careful and gentle approach to learn what they can contribute. Angry ones looking for reasons not to get along and quiet ones looking to just get by. This is the perfect environment for unfreezing, team building, and nurturing engaging discussions to break down barriers and open everyone up. Assigning special duties, creating teams, listening to suggestions – all designed to learn what perspectives and ideas they might bring to the group. In this you’ll most likely find the ones who have the most to teach the team. Even if it’s only one thing, something they’ve seen or learned before – those can be gems. Often from the ones you least expect. Teams don’t happen quickly or without a little help – step in when you see openings, engage with everyone (especially those most receptive) – even the slightest ember can be fanned into a good flame. Get everyone on your team involved in the work at hand and see the kinds of learnings that develop today.
Malcolm Gladwell (born 1963): Canadian journalist, author, public speaker, podcast host (Revisionist History), and staff writer for The New Yorker since 1996.
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