Diversity & Inclusion - for Compassion or for Competitive Advantage

Diversity & Inclusion is a conundrum.

There are those who suggest that it can only achieve compassion; and there are those who suggest that it can enhance competitive advantage.

Those who focus on compassion advocate quotas; they are passionate about improving the distribution of opportunities; and they are determined to make the system fairer.

Those who focus on enhancing competitive advantage advocate the dissolution of bias; they are passionate about empowerment; and they are determined to enhance collaborative outcomes.

Yet, it is broadly accepted that the most successful ideas come - not - from the same people, thoughts and capabilities that were familiar to us yesterday; instead the most successful ideas come from the intersection of diverse people, thoughts and capabilities.

And so, the BIG question - for us - is: are we (today) pursuing diversity and inclusion strategies focused on improving compassion; or are we pursuing diversity and inclusion strategies focused on enhancing competitive advantage?