Brian Gareau, Inc.
  • Home
  • About
  • Speaking
    • Videos
    • Planner Resources
    • Client Testimonials
  • Consulting
    • Services
    • Assessment Tools
  • Products
  • Blog

“42” - Lessons on Diversity & Inclusion

4/18/2013

1 Comment

 
My wife and I went to see the movie “42” – the story of baseball legend Jackie Robinson.  It centers on Robinson’s first years in Major League Baseball (MLB) and the tremendous challenges he faced as the first African American player.  In Robinson’s rookie year, 1947, there were 399 white players and himself in MLB.  His story and the movie were absolutely inspiring!  

The movie contained many valuable lessons on Diversity & Inclusion (D&I).  Here are just a few:
  • Broaden your definition of diversity.  For nearly 50 years MLB thought it had diversity.  It had players from different ethnic backgrounds – from different states – with different skill sets – playing different positions – with different physiques.  But, Brooklyn Dodger GM, Branch Rickey, challenged and broadened the definition to include race.  Many organizations today also have very limited definitions of diversity with only things that can be easily measured.  What other important “differences” would enhance your organization’s workforce, brand, culture, and overall performance?   
  • Increasing diversity does not mean inclusion.  When Robinson put on the Brooklyn Dodger uniform his team had a new level of diversity but it was far from inclusive.  In fact, many of his teammates started a petition to refuse to play with an African American on their team.  Robinson sat by himself on the bench and even waited to shower until all his teammates were done.  He was ‘on’ the team but not ‘included in’ the team.  How many of your employees feel that way?       
  • Make simple, but powerful behavior changes.  In the movie “42” Robinson did not feel part of the team until simple behaviors changed: like an encouraging word after a tough at-bat; a congratulatory hand shake; a smile, laugh, or joke between teammates; or teammates defending you after being hit in the head by a pitch.  Simply put – actions spoke louder than words.  What simple behaviors make your employees feel included?  Excluded?   
  • Establish new tolerance levels of behavior.  There is a shocking scene in “42”, early in Robinson’s rookie year, with Philadelphia Phillies manager - Ben Chapman.  Each time Robinson came up to bat, Chapman emerged from the dugout and overtly berated and made vicious racial slurs.  The umpires, coaches, players, sport writers, and fans all heard and saw the brutal attack.  Initially they did nothing – they tolerated it.  But, ultimately the Baseball Commissioner and National League President both warned Chapman that the racial ‘baiting’ must stop.  He complied.  New tolerance levels of behavior were established.  What behaviors in your organization need to move from simple compliance to true commitment?
  • Let talent on the field do the talking.  Jackie Robinson showed tremendous restraint by not reacting to the endless prejudices and attacks.  He won over teammates and fans and silenced critics with his play on the field.  Sometimes well intended diversity and inclusion initiatives inadvertently ‘force’ or ‘push through’ individuals who have not yet shown their talent on the field.  Is your organization facing any resistance to D&I because some employees want to first see successful play on the business field?

“42” has a wonderful tag line - “In a game divided by color, he made us see greatness.”  Leverage these important lessons in your D&I efforts to engage high performance.  Be great! 
1 Comment

The Power of a Simple Gift

4/5/2013

0 Comments

 
Our family participates in an international relief program called “Operation Christmas Child” each year.  The concept of this program is very simple – fill a shoe box or similar sized plastic container with school supplies, hygiene products, small toys, and a personal note for a child of the age you choose.  The boxes are then distributed around the world at Christmas time to children whose life has been haunted by poverty, disaster, disease, or war.  Since 1993, over 100 million shoe boxes have been handed out in more than 150 countries and territories.  This program has been described as “the power of a simple gift”.

Each of us has a simple, but very powerful gift that cannot be placed in a box – our time.  Time always seems in short supply – some are controlled by it – others fight against it.  Time has been described as “the cruelest teacher, because first she gives the test, then teaches the lesson.”  

Consider how you use your gift, as you reflect on the five time reminders below:  
  1. The perceived way leaders spend time, money, and resources is a significant factor in how organizational culture is embedded and becomes a norm (Edgar Schein).
  2. The classic question, “what do you want – quality or quantity?” applies with our use of time.  Ideally, we want both.  For example, we believe discussing personal development and career interests, and reviewing performance in a quality manner only ‘once a year’ is not dedicating enough time.  We prefer a higher frequency to go along with quality because it makes us feel valued and important.
  3. Time must be allocated for both input and output.  If the time you spend with people is predominantly downloading, dumping, sharing personal opinions, and trying to convince others to change, then you have overloaded your output phase.  Asking questions, listening, and reflecting on others’ thoughts and ideas is critical input and time needed to be effective.
  4. Time is a critical element to developing and sustaining positive relationships.  It is important to initiate the use of time versus always just reacting to a request for time.  Think how you feel and your relationship when someone initiates contact with you versus simply reacts to your email, text message, phone call, or meeting request.
  5. Technology and automation are intended to give us more time.  In reality, they simply give us new ways to squeeze more into the 86,400 seconds of each day.  One of the hardest things to do with time – is to stop ‘spending it’ on activities that do not align with your personal or business goals.  Everything can’t be a priority!

Operation Christmas Child is a powerful, simple gift ... Bottom line, your time is too!  The choices we make on how we spend our time explicitly show others what and who are our most important priorities.  These choices create our life and our legacy.
0 Comments

    Author

    Brian Gareau is a Speaker, Author and Consultant.

    SUBSCRIBE:
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    May 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

    Categories

    All
    Individuality Accountability
    Organizational Culture
    Processes
    Strategy

To bring Brian to your company, contact
Michele Lucia at 214-543-0844 or by email.
To contact Brian Gareau directly, call 309-634-9137 or by email.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture