“I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led.”

– Thomas Jefferson

Why Incorporate Diverse Ideas?

The Army is made up of Soldiers and civilians who come from different backgrounds, have had different life and Army experiences, and as a result, have developed different ways and manners of thinking.

To succeed, leaders need to embrace this organic diversity and use it to their best benefit. Seeking and incorporating diverse ideas of your subordinates, peers, and superiors can help you identify, solve, and anticipate operational challenges. Select each group to learn why it’s important to incorporate their ideas.

A Soldier on patrol on a mountain side

Subordinates:

  • Are sensors of the operational environment
  • May have “ground level” truth that a leader does not

How do you embrace the diverse ideas of your subordinates?

  • Be approachable
  • Demonstrate openness to new ideas
  • Be willing to ask your subordinates for their insight
A Soldier maneuvering a casualty up a hill using a sled device

Peers may have:

  • Developed innovative approaches that can be adapted for use in your unit

How do you embrace the diverse ideas of your peers?

  • Encourage lateral information sharing
A major pointing to procedures written on a whiteboard as a colonel and command sergeant major look on

Superiors may have:

  • Ideas for how to better encourage unit-wide sharing of diverse ideas and approaches
  • Knowledge gained through their previous experiences

How do you learn from your superiors?

  • Learn from what they have done right
  • Learn from the areas in which they could have improved