Diversity Archives - Ann Tardy | Speaker, Author, Trainer

Tag Archives for " Diversity "

Zoom Out! (Advice for the Screen-Obsessed)

I grew up with maps. Big, bulky, beautiful, Rand McNally maps. And a globe. These taught me to look for details while appreciating the big picture.

Today our smartphones have map applications, offering precise turn-by-turn directions. With only a small screen, we can get to where we’re going and never care what city we’re driving through.

But to see the landscape using a map app, we need to zoom out.

When we’re constantly zoomed-in at work and in our lives, we are gripped by small screens and small issues. And our sense of curiosity atrophies in the wake.

We unwittingly neglect what’s outside the small screen or the small issue. We read information online without questioning its veracity or source, we stop noticing our surroundings, we become indifferent to the people around us.

And then we miss the meaning… unless we zoom out!

What does it mean to zoom out?

  • Look up and look around
  • Consider every party’s viewpoint (not just the one side you heard)
  • Understand how a project/task fits into the big picture (unsure? ask!)
  • Question what’s next (think one step ahead of your boss)
  • Have an opinion (eliminate “I don’t know” from your vernacular)
  • Endeavor to improve processes and procedures
  • Analyze, think, be curious

 

Our obsession with screens (literal and figurative) creates our myopia. Being incessantly zoomed-in shortchanges our ability to make a difference, because we lack foresight, discernment, and meaning.

We need to Zoom Out!

As a reminder, I purchased an oversized book of maps for my car. I’ll use my app to help me get there, but I’ll use Rand McNally to urge me to Zoom Out! and pay attention to where I’m going.

How Balinese Dogs Remind Us to Be Traveled Leaders

When I spent a week in Bali recently, I was awestruck by the monkeys, elephants, temples, villages, hospitable people, and … homeless dogs.

It felt discordant with the extremely kind and caring Hindu culture. But according to our guide (and fast friend) Putri, Balinese dogs are irrelevant.

While the dogs are not mangy or abused, they are ignored, destined to scavenge through village streets for their own food.

According to Hindu beliefs, if you are a good person in your life (referred to as dharma), you will reincarnate as a human. If you live an immoral, sinful, or wicked life (referred to as adharma), you will reincarnate as a dog.

Being a dog lover, I was stunned. I regaled Putri with stories of our dog obsession in America: dog food, doggie day cares, dog walkers, and dog parks. She was aghast!

I later emailed Putri a picture of my dog in my bed and she responded, “My husband is in shock. He can’t decide who is mistaken – your people or Balinese.” Putri schooled him, “Different culture, baby!”

That’s right! Different culture, diverse perspectives, divergent convictions. No mistakes.

But it’s not our differences that should give us pause, it’s our insularity.

When we travel to new countries (even new cities and states!), we become cognizant of how isolated we are in our hermetically-sealed worlds.

And it’s this isolation that threatens our success as leaders.

If we don’t deliberately “travel” to different departments, engage with distinct job levels, and expose ourselves to unique issues on various teams, we too will operate with a limited view of the world.

And trying to lead while insular always results in adharma!