9th Principle - Embrace and Value Diversity
OR Unlock the power of complementary relationships
💡 EXPLAINING THE PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLE
In nature, species diversity can be a source of competition as well as mutual enrichment.
Contrary to popular belief, mutual aid is more widespread than war between species because it ensures survival.
"Raising a few ducks where lettuce is grown is the best way to keep slugs at bay—and ducks love slugs. The ducks' manure naturally enriches the soil, allowing the lettuce to thrive."
The Sustainable Entrepreneur's Guide – Solène Pignet
Diversity can also be a solution to competition. For example, monocultures lead to a situation where the same plants compete for access to the same available resources.
🔍 ILLUSTRATING THE PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLE AS APPLIED TO A MISSION OF TRANSFORMATION
Everyone is talking about diversity in business these days.
No one would openly dare to question it.
But in reality, efforts to promote diversity often fall short of expectations.
Why is this? Simply because our cognitive biases lead us to believe that a group of people who look alike will find it easier to understand one another and will make decisions more quickly.
What leader, when initiating change, has never told himself that it would be easier if everyone thought like him and recognized the value of his initiative? As much as I value the power of diversity, I admit I’m guilty of this. I remember hoping that everyone would think like me when I was exhausted by the resistance I faced 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 the effort.
We actually value diversity when it suits us. The saying “never put all your eggs in one basket” is often used to avoid relying solely on a customer, a product, a supplier, or a colleague in times of difficulty.
Just as in nature, diversity within organizations can be a source of tension or enrichment. It is up to us to make a conscious choice about which side to support.
"Ourability to achieve unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization."
A concrete example to harness the power of diversity
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is the best-known and most widely used personality assessment in the world. Knowing one's MBTI type not only helps one understand how one perceives the world and interacts with it, but also helps clarify one's own 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 a dynamic division of roles.
An organization that needs to develop a new roadmap that integrates sustainability into the core of its business can harness the talents of its employees based on their spontaneous reactions to change:
Early adopters will drive change by sharing their enthusiasm because, for them, "change is stimulating."
Some will offer a clear and inspiring vision to rally all participants around a common goal.
Others will help bring about change by asking, "What's wrong?" and highlighting the urgency of taking action.
Finally, through their analysis and attention to detail, some will ensure that the proposed changes are feasible and relevant to the specific problem at hand.
🐝 TIPS TO GET MOVING
You can easily explore the MBTI questionnaire on your own or in groups. Here is a website with several videos and explanations. If you would like assistance with this process, please feel free to contact me, as I am a certified MBTI practitioner.
These questions will help highlight the benefits of diversity for the success of your project:
What strengths do I want to tap into?
What value could I bring?
What activities should I avoid?
Who are the people best suited to perform the tasks I would avoid?
How can we turn our differences into an advantage in this project?
“Naturemakes people similar; life makes themdifferent”
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IT'S THE BEST WAY TO SUPPORT ME.
As a reminder, I am writing a series on the parallels between the 12 operational principles of permaculture and the conditions for sustainable transformations of organizational systems. Here is the first post, the second one, the third one, the 4th one, the 5th one, the 6th one, 7th one and 8th one.
If you are a professional changemaker committed to promoting a better society, these principles and insights should help you maximize your impact and inner serenity.
Hello, Changemakers!
I am Nina, an impact maker coach who specializes in leadership and sustainable transformation.
I have spent the past 10 years leading sustainable change at a Fortune 500 company in a multicultural environment. Through my work, I aim to inspire professionals in organizations to rethink business and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, people-centered, and nature-friendly world.
If you'd like support to move forward on your journey with greater impact and ease, contact me!
