D&D
It turns out I did learn something from the GSB Data &Decisions Core Class…perfecting the ability not to yawn while waiting for 90 minutes. After Doug Melville’s inspiring presentation in class today, I’m hopeful that I can use that “strength” to overcome my weakness in quant one day… Doug is the first Chief Diversity Officer I have ever heard from. In fact, I have to admit it wasn’t even a role I thought existed in organizations. All too often diversity is a check box exercise or a low-ranking role in HR, so it was refreshing to hear and see the importance TBWA places on the topic. His speech resonated with me in many ways, at a time in my Stanford experience where I am slowly closing in on the critical takeaways I will take back to the corporate world.
Diversity.
A common mistake is to see diversity as simply adding more women/LGBTQ/cultures to a boardroom filled with white, western men. I have personally struggled with self-doubt, wondering whether I am in a position through the forces of positive discrimination or whether I have earned it on merit. But when you really look into the meaning of diversity and certainly Doug’s view of it, it is about bringing together difference. It boils down to celebrating what makes you “magic”; your superpower. If we think about celebrating who we are and how we are different from others, we can focus on what type of reputation proceeds us in the room. Coming at it from that perspective, it is less about “genes” and more about the “jeans” I chose to wear (Tommy Hillfinger of course!) to set myself apart from others.
Disruption.
Until this talk, the word ‘disruption’ provoked a visceral reaction from me, as one of the most overused “buzz” words in Silicon Valley. Doug reframed, or rather reshaped, this into the vision of a square, a triangle and a circle. The triangle, not only a common cheerleading configuration, represents the “a-ha” break-free moment from in the box thinking, which prevents us from achieving our vision. This mental model, along with his funny stories and self-deprecating humor, reminds me of the need to break out from convention and not fear being “judged.” It’s more likely to be the times we choose actively the non-conventional path that we will have the greatest impact.
What was missing from Doug’s seven tips, was an eighth: always have a camera handy to capture the people involved in building your story! Joking aside, his own path to power has had key figures playing a huge part. Not only the mentor, the advocate and the coach, but also your parents, your friends and your colleagues. It made me feel immensely grateful for the diverse and valuable network I have here on the Farm.
So when we all eventually grow up and do become future CEOs, let’s not forget how diversity and disruption will help us change lives, change organizations and change the world.
