Lessons Learned: Diverse Inputs Lead to Improved Quality of Decisions!
I have been working hard to improve my people-leading skills since I was in college. The first major opportunity came when I was elected National Student President of the National Society of Architectural Engineers (NSAE) in college. I began to see that when leading, one must recognize that people desire to have input into things that impact them.… they have things they want to say, and they want to be heard.
Unlike a factory of widgets, the raw materials for making a successful professional services business are the PEOPLE we lead. The PEOPLE are the assets!
Through valuable lessons learned over 30+ years, I’ve observed that a positive environment is best obtained when I sought wide and deep opinions from others prior to formulating a plan of action. Not only did I find it easier to create momentum when I sought varying views, but I also noticed that the quality of the decisions was better. Yes, it takes a bit more time in the process, but, literally, it was proven over and over… the more diverse the people that I sought input from, the better the quality of the decision and ultimately the outcome.
This concept has formed the basis of a core principle of mine which is to create an inclusive, diverse culture where differing thoughts are valued. This principle is based not only on my belief that all people should be equally valued and respected, but because I know we will drive better quality solutions to issues we, our clients, and communities face. When we seek input from a wide and diverse network, people feel appreciated, valued, and are more vested in the outcome.
During this Black History Month, I will take the time to celebrate those who've impacted the world with their activism and achievements and learn a bit more about Black history. I take this time to consciously appreciate differing opinions, attitudes, and beliefs.
Last year, I was so proud of the Atlas team as we had the opportunity to “ring the bell” at NASDAQ. I give full credit to our awesome team that surrounds and supports me, helping us to make good, quality decisions daily. While it was a great moment, I was even more proud of the diversity of our team! Diverse groups, thoughts, and opinions not only promote tolerance and understanding, but it also creates a more just and equitable community. I want that kind of a community for us at Atlas.
L. Joe Boyer, CEO | Atlas