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Diversity, inclusion, and equity is a winning formula—and innovation begins by seeing what already exists in new ways and uncovering potential beyond our blind spots. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored how peers and privilege can impact our conversations on and ability to increase diversity, equity and inclusion. Today, we’ll focus on the importance of pace and reflect on the courage it takes to speed up – and slow down.
Imagine a horse on a racetrack.
We are busy! We feel important. We want to do a good job, and we want to make an impact with the work we do. Our ambitions and aspirations are well-intended, but as we try to stay on track and be efficient at the speed of things, we might be putting impact at risk. In our efforts to be efficient, we are at risk of fighting friction rather than fighting worthwhile problems. When our focus is to move fast, we avoid friction to stay on track.
What we might lose sight of is: Which track are we on? And where is it heading? And why?
When we get busy, including multiple perspectives to shine a light on an issue becomes a challenge. Of course, it can be provoking for a leader with a busy schedule to be asked to carve out time to listen to many perspectives and t develop solutions throughout numerous iterations. And if the value of doing so is not obvious, it seems even more unlikely to happen. However, including perspectives is an investment! Not just in an inclusive environment but also in the efficient problem-solving.
The Courage to Slow Down
Caroline Farberger is an advocate and ambassador for diversity and inclusive leadership. Formerly the CEO of ICA, a leading Swedish insurance company, she brings over 25 years of experience in the financial industry. As the first senior business leader in the Nordics to openly share her gender transition, Caroline speaks to the importance of leadership in fostering meaningful dialogue. She emphasises that key leadership responsibility is knowing when to speed up conversations for progress and when to slow down and invest time in critical discussions.
“Both take courage—speeding up and slowing down. And in the end, it is a matter of risk management. We might want to ask ourselves: What are the consequences of proceeding without knowing the perspectives of others and without having tested the value of our solution on a small scale?“
Caroline Farberger
Embracing Diverse Perspectives
My point would be that we need to slow down more often to even start seeing the value of embracing diverse perspectives. What do you become aware of when you slow down the pace? What do you start to see and hear if you allow a bit of silence?
I strongly believe that innovation is not just a matter of seeing what is new but just as much a matter of seeing what is already there in new ways. From new perspectives. Through the eyes of others.
Innovation starts with building empathy. We need to actively put our assumptions aside and invest time in seeing the world from the perspective of others. The ones that are different from us.
For us to be open to exploring what is there in new ways, we first need to dare to pause, be silent, and wait to see what emerges—and, perhaps most importantly, who begins to speak when we stop.
