Principle 9 - Utilize and Value Diversity
Or harness the power of complementarity
💡 A Simple Explanation of the Principles of Permaculture
In nature, species diversity is both a source of competition and mutual enrichment.
Contrary to popular belief, cooperation is more common than conflict between species. Quite simply because it increases the chances of survival.
“Raising a few ducks where you grow lettuce is the best remedy for slugs—which ducks love to eat. The ducks’ droppings naturally enrich the soil, allowing the lettuce to thrive.”
The Sustainable Entrepreneur's Guide – Solène Pignet
Diversity can also be a solution to competition problems. For example, monocultures cause the same plants to compete for access to the same available resources.
🔍 Applying the Principle in a Transformation Initiative
Everyone is talking about diversity in the workplace these days.
No one would dare to openly question it.
But in reality, actual practices often fall short of expectations.
Why? Quite simply because our cognitive biases lead us to believe that a group of people who are similar to one another will find it easier to understand each other and will make decisions more quickly.
What leader—a catalyst for change—has never thought to himself that it would be easier if everyone thought like him and saw the value of his initiative?
As much as I strongly believe in the power of diversity, I plead guilty. I remember feeling exhausted and hoping that everyone would think like me when I faced resistance while trying to incorporate a carbon price into all business development decisions.
Yet, deep down, we know that making a mental effort to overcome our cognitive barriers to diversity is worth it.
In our day-to-day work, we embrace diversity when it suits us. For example, the expression “never put all your eggs in one basket” is often used to avoid relying solely on a single client, product, supplier, or colleague in the event of a problem.
Just as in nature, diversity within organizations can be a source of tension or enrichment. It is up to us to consciously choose which side to support.
"Ourability to achieve unity in diversity will be both the beauty and the test of our civilization."
A Practical Example of How to Harness the Power of Diversity
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is the world’s best-known and most widely used personality assessment. Knowing your MBTI type not only helps you understand how you perceive the world and interact with others, but also helps clarify your motivations and those of others.
In organizations and teams, exploring the different MBTI types often fosters cohesion and improves performance because it promotes better mutual understanding, smoother communication, and an invigorating division of roles.
Let’s consider the case of an organization that needs to develop a new roadmap that integrates sustainable development issues into the core of its business. It can leverage the talents of these employees based on their spontaneous reactions to change:
They will be the driving force behind change by sharing their enthusiasm, because for them, “change is exciting.”
Some will help establish a clear and ambitious vision to rally all participants around a common goal.
Others will help facilitate the implementation of change by asking themselves, “What’s broken?” and by clarifying the urgency of taking action.
Finally, through their analysis and attention to detail, some will ensure that the change is feasible and appropriate given the specific problem at hand.
🐝 Tips for Getting Active
You can easily explore the MBTI questionnaire on your own or in a group. Here is a website with several videos and explanations. If you’d like guidance through this process, please feel free to contact me—I’m a certified MBTI practitioner.
In addition to this tool, these questions will help you leverage the benefits of diversity to ensure the success of your project:
What strengths do I want to tap into?
What value could I bring to the table?
What activities should I avoid?
Who are the people best suited to do the tasks I want to avoid?
How can we turn our differences into an advantage in this project?
"Naturemakes people alike; life makes them different ."
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As a reminder, I’d like to highlight the parallels between the 12 operational principles of permaculture and sustainable transformations in organizational systems. If you’re a professional committed to promoting a better society, these principles and insights should help you maximize your impact and inner peace. Here is the first, the second , the 3rd and 4th , 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th articles.
Hello to you, agents of change!
I'm Nina Cambadélis, an impact coach and expert in leadership and sustainable transformation.
For more than 10 years, I was in charge of transformation and multifaceted performance initiatives at a multicultural CAC 40 company. What I love to do is help organizations and professionals rethink their business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a world that is more sustainable, more humane, and more respectful of nature.
If you'd like some guidance along the way, contact me!
