Be a Leader Who Builds Bridges to Differing Views

In this age of constant discord and anger toward others who see reality differently than we do, our organizations and our world need more leaders who focus on being bridge builders, not joining in the chorus of anger and hostility toward “the other”.

Gabriel Salguero spoke in August at the Global Leadership Summit on how to build a bridge-building leadership culture and provided a great outline for this topic.

1 - Be aware of your own anxiety and insecurities.   

Do I quickly resist certain perspectives?  If so, why?

2 - Know your leadership roots.

Are you self-aware enough to recognize how your background shapes your reactions and decisions?  What in your upbringing and family of origin shows up in how you lead?

3 - Pause before you push back.

When you resist a perspective, is it about the idea or your own discomfort?  Is your push back about the person providing the idea and your assumptions about them and their views?  

4 - Lead from rooted openness.

Do you value your own story deeply enough to hold space for others without feeling threatened? Are you secure in your own values and perspectives and able to make room for differing views?

5 - Seek diverse input.

Great leaders do not sit in their own echo chamber and only surround themselves with those who agree with them.  They seek out those with differing opinions to fill out their decision-making frameworks. 

As Gabriel aptly stated, “Ask yourself, who is missing from my table when decisions are made?  Whose voice have I not deeply listened to yet?”  Harnessing innovation and creativity does not happen when leaders only listen to views mirroring their own.

If you and your organization’s culture need help listening to differing views, reach out to us at laura@conoverconsulting.com.  We at Conover Consulting have decades of experience building better cultures.

#bridgebuilding #listentoothers #diverseviews #diversethoughts #selfawareness