Had an interesting conversation with a client this week that has stayed with me now for a few days. We began working with her team a couple of months ago around issues of diversity, inclusion, and culture change and have done some really good foundational work. The workshops and dialogues that I have facilitated have been well received and generated a buzz of ideas, questions and energy. I have even received several e-mails from workshop participants after the fact, regarding the topics we are working on and how they were incorporating some of the new tools and ideas into their work.

But now we are entering the messy, complex, confusing and sloppy part of the transformation. At the real root of the conversation with my client, was her simple question; “what do we do now?” There are a number of specific steps we are getting ready to take, but truth be told there is no one obviously good, simple answer at this point, because we are dealing with human beings.

Part of why she was asking that question is because there are some folks who have taken the information, ideas and tools from our workshops and acted on them. But many have not. And this is where the real struggle lies. This work, at its root, takes place in our hearts and minds. Again, we are dealing with complex, unique, flawed and beautiful human beings and this work goes back to individual attitudes, values and beliefs…and ultimately those are beyond our control.

There are things that we can do within the context of work to drive certain behaviors or end certain behaviors, but we cannot force the internal stuff to change…those attitudes, beliefs, values, perspectives are all beyond our control. We can work to influence them, we can try to select for them, but they are ultimately beyond our control. When can punish someone for an act of violence, but we cannot force them to stop having violent, hateful beliefs. If I am your boss, I can find ways to make you be at your desk by 8am, but I cannot make you like it, believe in it or agree with it.

While we cannot control it, if we want real culture change in our organizations we have to find ways to help that internal stuff evolve (attitudes, values, beliefs, etc.). In the long run that is the most important stuff. But working on the internal and important stuff is much different than just managing behavior…in fact focusing on behavior can actually get in the way of working on the internal stuff. I can think of some great examples of this from my childhood.

There were times when my parents very much wanted me to do or not do some specific thing. But they felt that it was a decision that I should make for myself. In the end when I had made a decision that was not the decision that they wanted me to make, they overruled me, ultimately making the decision anyway! My parents were trying to control the internal stuff (my values, priorities and choices), but they could not…so they resorted to controlling my behavior, which they could. This is probably not terribly uncommon for parents (or managers) but we miss an opportunity to be involved in the exploration and development of attitudes, beliefs and priorities here.

Again, while this internal stuff is beyond our control, it is actually where we should be focusing our efforts. Focusing primarily on directing the behavior of others leads us toward very inauthentic relationships and a very inauthentic culture. We must be more focused on the internal stuff, and that requires patience and a certain amount of faith in people…two things that we do not have to have if we just manage behaviors. This is hard work, sloppy work, frustrating work but it is incredibly valuable. Part of why it is hard and sloppy is due to the fact that we are all wired differently and we are all at different places regarding issues related to diversity.

It is one thing for me to see that there might be some flaws in the system, it is a much different thing for me to come to understand that I am a part of those flaws (regardless of my intentions), and still another thing for me to realize that I am part of a flawed system, am benefitting from that flawed system and must do something about it if I am really the person I claim to be. This leads me in a much different direction than simply learning to say the right things about race, ethnicity, gender, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, etc.

This very issue gets to the heart of why many diversity and inclusion efforts have still not delivered on their promise. Even organizations that are known for diversity work, that brag about it and are awarded for it, often do not actually have the culture to match. They support the right events, use the right photos and say the right things. But below the surface are some of the exact same attitudes and beliefs (conscious and unconscious) that get in the way of real growth and organizational evolution.

Last week I made a short presentation regarding diversity and inclusion to a small group of folks that I examine and learn about new topics with, and I spent a fair amount of time talking about some of the fundamental business cases for diversity and inclusion. A close friend of mine, who is also part of this group, reminded me that while the business cases are strong, that is rarely what actually influences behavior. It may work for some, but it is not necessarily going to be the thing that influences or changes personal attitudes, perspective, values or beliefs.

This is not unique to the issues of diversity and inclusion. A lot of what we pay attention to in the world of business and management and organizational development are the tangible things…the things that we can put our hands on and measure easily. Inventory. Profit and loss. Turnover. Observable behavior.

I believe that real leaders (which are in short supply from what I have seen) know that it is the intangible assets that really matter. It is the things you can’t put your hands on, can’t weigh or measure that really matter in the long run, but it requires a different kind of leadership to focus on those things. Trust. Inclusion. Real collaboration. Real innovation. Dialogue. Engagement. The ability to have honest, candid two-way conversations. Meritocracy. Shared learning from mistakes. Valuing difference.

The failure to understand, appreciate and focus on these intangible assets is precisely how organizations end up:

• With a stagnant and unhealthy culture
• Adrift with ethical challenges
• Without the ability to adapt even in the face of obvious and massive trend changes
• Out of step with stakeholders
• With a damaged brand
• Unable to compete for talent or market

We focus on the easy and obvious stuff and ignore the complex, yet really important stuff at our peril. A lot of organizations have gotten in the habit of saying the right things about diversity, but when you get down to it, they are doing little and often times do not even really understand diversity and inclusion. Actions speak louder than words and organizational resources are allocated to real priorities.

To capitalize on our intangible assets requires us to lead in a different way. It requires us to rely on our title less and our relationships more. It requires us to become a little bit more comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, it requires us to be better communicators, better question askers and much better listeners. It requires us to love people rather than blame them, it requires faith in people rather than in policy, it requires us to without remorse constantly challenge our assumptions and the status quo. It requires us to lead…all of us. What will you challenge today?

Carmen Hudson (aka Peopleshark), blog-tagged me a long, long, long, long time ago. At the time that it happened, I was in the middle of a couple of big projects, so I "temporarily" set it aside and in doing so I basically forgot that it had happened. I happened to come across it in my notes this weekend and realized that I should probably get this wrapped up. Being blog-tagged means that I’m supposed to tell you six random things about myself and then pass it on to some others.

The first random thing about me is that I have, just in the past couple of years developed a love for photography. And not to get sappy here, but it all goes back to my wedding (to the lovely and talented Mrs. Joe). The photographers who took our photos are so talented and so creative, and I was sincerely blown away by the job they did.

Ever since then I have been clicking away with the camera (just ask my wife and two daughters, who have to put up with flashes constantly going off in their faces).

Second random thing…I climbed my first “fourteener” this summer. We spent a week in Colorado this summer with my in-laws and my father in-law, one of my sisters in-law and I climbed Mt. Bierstadt (14,060 feet). It was a bit of a challenge, but it was amazing and the view was breathtaking, so I am hooked. We are already starting to pick our climb for next summer.

Third random thing…I am a reader. I dig books...a lot. I am basically always reading at least one book and get through about a book a week.

About 90% of what I read is non-fiction, but I do love good fiction, and I should probably make a little more time for fiction.

Fourth random thing…I also dig tattoos. Here are pictures of the two I just got this summer.

Fifth random thing…I also dig poetry. These are a few of my favorites:

In addition to reading poetry, I really enjoy attending poetry slams. Omaha has an amazing poetry scene and always sends a strong team to the national poetry slam competition. I try to get to the Omaha Healing Arts Poetry Slam as often as I can…I make it about every other month. I think that regardless of how you feel about poetry, poetry slams are incredibly entertaining.

Sixth random thing is that a long, long time ago in a far away galaxy, I was in the United States Marine Corps.

I served four years active duty and it was a powerful and life-changing experience. I am now a huge peace freak, but I will always have love for and be thankful for my days in the Corps, the experiences that I had and the people that I served with. I served from August of 1987 until August of 1991.

I attended boot camp in San Diego, California, infantry training school in North Carolina and security forces school in Virginia. I then spent a year on security force duty in Keflavik, Iceland. Leaving Iceland I was assigned to an infantry battalion in 29 Palms, California. That is where I was stationed until I left the Corps, but we didn’t spend a lot of time actually in 29 Palms. While there I spent a month in Bridgeport, CA (mountain warfare and assault climber training); a month in Thailand (infantry training with Royal Thai Marines, and then some quality time in Georgia, Utah and Florida, all part of Army Ranger School. I then travelled to Okinawa, Japan for a 6 month visit, which turned into a 9 month visit, followed by a trip to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to participate in Desert Shield / Desert Storm. When Desert Storm was over I had a few quiet months back in 29 Palms before leaving the USMC.

So, there you have it.  Six things.

Working with Humans: Diversity, Collaboration and Leadership @ Work

Wednesday, December 3rd (1:00 - 4:00pm)

Working with Humans is not like the other workshops that you have been to.  This one is relevant.  This one is actionable.  This one will change how you view diversity and your relationships with the people around you.  It is a good, valuable workshop and it is a great value.  It approaches Diversity and Collaboration as issues of leadership...because that, rather than tolerance or respect, is what they are about.  It is packed full of information and tools that you can use.  In today's world, whether you are in the for-profit or non-profit sector, healthcare, education or government, Diversity and Collaboration are increasingly becoming critical ingredients for success...here are some reasons why.

This is the last time this workshop will be offered this year, so sign up today!  Sign your co-workers up. Sign your boss up.  Sign your friends and enemies up.  Just sign up. You will be happy that you did.

Not sure? Here are 10 reasons why you should find a way to be at this workshop:

1. Diversity, Inclusion and Collaboration are now more important than they every have been. They are, to a large degree, the new competitive advantage.
2. The demographics of the workforce are changing...the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by the end of this calendar year 70% of new entrants into the workforce will be women and People of Color. If you are not good at attracting, engaging and retaining women and People of Color you are going to be competing for relatively small portion of the talent available.
3. We are on the front end of an unprecedented generational transition, that could mess a lot of things up and at the very least is going to drive an increase in leadership and cultural volatility.
4. You have been misinformed about what diversity really is and what it really means for our work and our organizations.
5. I will make you laugh...at least once.
6. The price is right.
7. You will leave with multiple tools that you can both use and easily share with others.
8. You and your organization need this information. You need it to be successful. You need it to survive. This stuff is no longer optional.
9. You will get out of the office for an afternoon.
10. You will get to see how down right charming I am in person.

Hello, Chicago.

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.

We are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen. McCain.

Sen. McCain fought long and hard in this campaign. And he's fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine. We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.

I congratulate him; I congratulate Gov. Palin for all that they've achieved. And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.

Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House.

And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother's watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight. I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you've given me. I am grateful to them.

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best -- the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.

To my chief strategist David Axelrod who's been a partner with me every step of the way.

To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.

It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.

This is your victory.

And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.

You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.

There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.

There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.

Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.

And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.

To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.

That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.

And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.

Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.

This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.

Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America.

Diversity is the New Racism!!!

In case you have not been paying attention, apprerently Diversity and Multiculturalism are the new Racism...intersting article here. Whats Next? Is cat going to be the new dog?  Is Socialism going to become the new Capitalism? Oh, whoops...bad example I guess!

I have a number of issues with this article, but really this is another opportunity for us to discuss and examine and clarify what diversity really is and what its value is.  And I am appreciative of the folks at Recruiting Blogs (which I just joined), for doing just that. Hats off to Steve Levy for noticing a converstation taking place over at the Diversity Executive site and starting his own conversation about it for the recruiting community.  It is much easier and simpler and safer to not have the conversation...and there are a lot of reasons for this I guess. 

I am glad that they paid attention to it, glad that my friend Maren Hogan pointed it out to me, and glad that it motivated me to finally join and actually post. It was about midnight as I finished it so it is quite likely that my very first post over there will little or no sense, but it will be interesting to see if the conversation continues. It is an important one. It gets more important every day.

A couple of my favorite new (and very timely) on-line resources...

Center for Social Inclusion

The Center for Social Inclusion works to build a fair and just society by dismantling structural racism. We partner with communities of color and other allies to create strategies and build policy reform models to end racial disparity and promote equal opportunity. With our partners we conduct applied research, translate it, teach our communities, inform the public, convene stakeholders, nurture multiracial alliances and support advocacy strategies.

Dog Whistle Racism

A program of the Center for Social Inclusion, Dog-Whistle Racism is political campaigning or policy-making that uses coded words and themes to appeal to conscious or subconscious racist concepts and frames. For example, the concepts ‘welfare queen,’ ’states’ rights,’ ‘Islamic terrorist,’ ‘uppity,’ 'thug,' 'tough on crime,' and ‘illegal alien’ all activate racist concepts that that have already been planted in the public consciousness and now are being activated by purposeful or accidental campaign activities, media coverage, public policy and cultural traditions. So, what’s dog whistle racism? It’s pure political theater to push buttons to win elections and policies.

APA Racism and Psychology Site

Why we dislike, stereotype, and hate other groups and what to do about it...  Great information here!

More Jedi training...

The Omaha Young Professionals Council in collaboration with Talent Anarchy brings you Step Up: Taking Charge of your Future this Thursday (10.30.08). Because you cannot get there if you don’t know where you are going.  Step Up provides individuals with both the understanding of how to take control of their careers and the tools to do it. This seminar will illustrate that the path to success travels through authenticity, intentionality and accountability. Attendees will leave with the perspective and motivation to take their career to new levels. The session is $25 per person. Register by Tuesday, Oct. 28.