Sharon Conard-Wells | West Elmwood Housing Development Corp. executive director
Hills can be obstacles or glorious delights.
Diversity and difference are not bad words. Diversity can help a leader to see a challenge as an opportunity. Differences bring creativity and resourcefulness to problem-solving. One climbs a hill, then pulls another up.
The organization I lead is turning 50 years old. While I haven’t been there the entire time, I have learned a lot over the years. As executive director of a nonprofit corporation, I manage down, up and out. In order to achieve our mission and address issues facing the community, it is essential to have a solid organization built on the right skills, communication and trust.
It’s impossible that we perceive every challenge the same way. Yet we are all on the same team and have a shared goal of a dual bottom line, right?
For instance, take any phrase and ask two people to explain it. Then ask the speaker and get a third view. Now add culture, education, language and experience to the equation. Let’s not forget gender and age.
Carefully listening and understanding how different points of view evolve is critical when leading a team, working with neighbors, funders, partners and stakeholders. Each has distinct characteristics as a group and as the individuals comprising each group.
Strength builds when we meet people where they are, not where we think they should be.
