EMBRACING DIVERSITY ENHANCES LEADERSHIP AND LEARNING

Nathan Kaoru Keikiokamakua Hanamaikai-Escobedo

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING?

• Time

• Money

• Knowledge

• Ability

• Friendships

• Same opinions

• Same ideas

• Devil’s playground

• Greed

• Rationalization

• Underachievement

• Obscuring of priorities

• Group-think

• Stasis, incremental improvement

TRADITIONAL LEADERSHIP

• Doing

• Listening, THEN doing

• BUT, it’s hard to listen or even hear if you don’t recognize that anyone else is trying to talk

WHAT IS DIVERSITY?

• Traditional thinking: difference or variety in color, shape, size, language, etc.

• SEEING with an open mind

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

• Traditionally: Do what needs to be done OR tell others to do what needs to be done

• LISTENING with purpose

WHAT IS LEARNING?

• Traditionally: Sit, listen, take notes, memorize

• DOING with purpose

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP WITHOUT…

• …seeing?

• …doing?

• …listening?

THE DWIGHT SCHRUTE EFFECT

• Socially-distinct

• Distinct, not inept

“One of the most-cited benefits of diversity is the infusion of

new ideas and perspectives…That leads to discomfort, but also to a better process that

ultimately yields superior outcomes.”

SEEING LISTENING DOING

1. Seeing

2. Listening3. Doing

HOW THE BRAIN WORKS

1. Seeing

2. Listenin

g3. Doing

Cognitive Dissonance

Leverage the way your brain works to increase your capacity to lead.

30% of all caloric intake

A BAD EXAMPLE

TYPES OF DIVERSITY

Traditional

• Race

• Ethnicity

• Gender

• Sexual preference

• Height, weight, etc.

What else?

• Socioeconomic

• Education• Level and type

• Beliefs

• Home situation

• Class schedule

• EXPERIENCE (common objects lesson)

Time and patience are required!

CAN IT GO TOO FAR?

• Too much seeing?

• Too much listening?

• Too much doing?

• Syndrome quote• If everyone is being heard…

nobody is. You can’t meet every person’s every need without diluting their impact.

HOW DO WE FIND BALANCE?

• Equality?

• Equity?

• Deep Dive• No easy fix.• Commitment to culture

and process

HOW DOES DIVERSITY BECOME CULTURE?

1. Seeing

2. Listening3. Doing

CONTACT INFO

• Nathan Hanamaikainathanh@uvu.edu801-863-7437Facebook: Nathan Hanamaikai-EscobedoLinkedIn: Nathan K. K. Hanamaikai-Escobedo