Team Diversity is Like a Good Gumbo

Growing up in Louisiana or for anyone versed in authentic Cajun-Creole cuisine – you know that a really good gumbo is a delicious collection of meats, seafood, veggies and seasonings blended to perfection.  Gumbos are hearty fare and may be varied by the region or by the very ingredients available at a particular time.  The same can be said for team members working in a company.

 Companies have the opportunity to make really great team-gumbos, if they recognize, enhance and properly blend the talents of their employees.  Yes – I’m speaking of diversity.  In business, diversity is a “catch-all” phrase used to describe the collection of different generations, genders, cultures, preferences, religions, etc…the list goes on.  A good company transitions into a great company when it recognizes that talents and skills come in different colors, shapes and sizes.  For some people, this concept is still difficult.  Why?  Many years ago, I attended a sales training seminar given by an insightful gentleman by the name of John Schumann.  I’ll attribute this adage to him… “people like people like themselves”.  I use this phase often in delivering workshops.  This saying was true then and remains true now.  Given the choice, staff like to choose their own team mates.  While it makes for a very comfortable environment, it does not promote growth.  Growth is achieved when potential adversaries professionally challenge each other.  Here’s another way to analyze it:  if everyone looks, thinks, processes and reacts the same – creativity is stunted.

 So how does all of this diversity promote a company’s success?  When the talents of different individuals are maximized, the collective team is strengthened.  A strong team develops faster and more efficient problem-solving and decision making processes.  This skill translates into greater productivity and ultimately gives a positive boost to the bottom line.  A positive portfolio offers an excellent branding opportunity and staff retention (who doesn’t want to remain working for a successful organization??).  Leaders and staff alike should look for ways to broaden the knowledge field.  Focus on talents, blend them well and share the gumbo!