Diverse Creativity:
How incorporating diverse perspectives into the creative workforce can lead to more innovative and impactful solutions.
Author - Michael K. Bigos
@michaelkbigos mkbigosjr@gmail.com
Introduction:
Diverse creativity refers to the integration of a variety of perspectives, experiences, and cultural backgrounds into the creative process. It recognizes that creativity is not limited to a single way of thinking or a single cultural tradition, but is instead shaped by a rich tapestry of experiences and backgrounds. I've foud this to be vital as I've lead creative teams in various types of projects and deliverables. Having a single-source-perspective seems like such an antiquated concept, however, it's still alarmingly prevalent in the business marketplace.
In an article published by USA Today in 2021, authors detailed "Racial justice in the workplace: In-depth look at diversity’s struggle to crack corporate boardrooms" where they described - in the wake of various police-related murders in the United States, corporate America pledged to do better, saying "it would diversify its leadership, encourage equity and take concrete actions to root out systemic racism." But, this article disclosed data related to previously undisclosed hiring records from dozens of top firms finding that more than a year later, various roles remain overwhelmingly disproportionate.
Having been in corporate America for the majority of my 20+ years as a creative professional - I've not been underexposed to these findings - especially within the tech/creative services industries. I simply consider it a responsibility to champion the progression of more diversity in these industries and especially within the creative landscape overall. First this is first - minorities must be pursuant of tech and creative careers in order for this 'voice' to have merit and value in the long term.
Pic Credits: COLIN SMITH/USA TODAY NETWORK
Creativity + Diversity
Incorporating diverse perspectives into the creative process can lead to more innovative and impactful solutions, as it allows for the exploration of a wider range of ideas and approaches. It can also help to ensure that the end product is more inclusive and accessible to a wider range of people. In my experiences, being the single-source of creative ideas for an organization is not only limiting, it has the potential to be damaging to the desired outcomes of the business and can paint a damning picture of the benefits and value the 'creative department' actually brings.
I see this mostly in small and thriving businesses. Yes, the need to have a workforce wear multiple hats as the business gains footing and begins to scale is understandable. However, if the business doesn't make an intentional decision to pivot towards more inclusivity and diversity - it can stifle it's growth-potential in the short and long-term.
Diverse perspectives: In order to foster diverse creativity, it is important to create an environment that values and encourages diverse perspectives.
This can include promoting diversity and inclusivity in hiring, making an effort to work with a diverse range of artists and designers, and actively seeking out new perspectives and ideas. Additionally, it is important to be mindful of the potential for cultural appropriation and ensure that the creative process is respectful of the cultures and traditions of all involved.
When I transitioned from a predominantly minority creative team into an enterprise team, given the opportunity to hire more resources seemed relatively simple to me. If I'm being completely honest - when presented with 90%+ of minority candidates, I was initally hesitant to seriousely consider that many people. However, I was quickly smitten with hope and inspiration when I allowed myself to rethink the possibilities of having the most-diverse team within an environment that was wasn't.
6 Benefits to diversity + increased innovation:
Increased innovation can lead to improved competitiveness, customer experience, revenue, efficiency, employee engagement, positive impact on society, and competitive advantage. By fostering a culture of innovation, companies can reap these benefits and position themselves for long-term success.
I've found these six benefits to be refreshing and an extreme value-add to my immediate team of professional and the broader organization and/or business.
Increased competitiveness:
Innovation helps companies stay ahead of their competitors by creating new products, services, and business models that differentiate them from the competition.Improved customer experience:
Innovation can lead to better products and services that meet the evolving needs of customers, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.Increased revenue:
Innovation can lead to new revenue streams, such as new products, services, or markets, that can drive growth and profitability.Improved efficiency:
Innovation can lead to process improvements and automation that increase efficiency and reduce costs.Increased employee engagement:
Innovation can create new opportunities for employees to learn, grow, and contribute to the success of the company, which can increase engagement and job satisfaction.Competitive advantage:
Innovation can create a competitive advantage by providing unique capabilities or insights that are difficult for competitors to replicate.
Stats from Facebook presentation: Managing Bias
6 Risks to having a lack of diversity in the creative workplace or organization:
Limited perspective:
When an organization lacks diversity, it may have a limited perspective and approach to problem-solving. This can lead to a lack of innovation and creativity, and hinder the organization's ability to adapt to changing markets and customer needs.Poor decision-making:
A lack of diversity in an organization can result in groupthink, where everyone thinks and acts in the same way. This can lead to poor decision-making, as different viewpoints and ideas are not considered.Decreased employee morale:
If employees feel that their diversity is not valued or respected, they may become disengaged and have decreased morale. This can lead to high turnover rates and a negative work environment.Decreased customer satisfaction:
If an organization lacks diversity, it may not understand or meet the needs of a diverse customer base. This can result in decreased customer satisfaction and loyalty.Missed opportunities:
A lack of diversity in an organization can result in missed opportunities to connect with diverse markets and customers, and to recruit and retain top talent.Limited growth potential:
A lack of diversity can limit an organization's growth potential, as it may not have the skills and perspectives needed to succeed in diverse markets and industries.
In summary, a lack of diversity in an organization can result in limited perspective and innovation, poor decision-making, decreased employee morale, decreased customer satisfaction, legal and reputational risks, missed opportunities, and limited growth potential. By promoting diversity and inclusion, organizations can mitigate these risks and position themselves for long-term success.
Overall, embracing diverse creativity can lead to more meaningful and impactful creative work that is reflective of the rich and complex world in which we live.