Last week at Fortune online, there was a quiz (take it here: http://money.cnn.com/quizzes/2007/fortune/leadership_annie/index.html) that tested your responses and tallied up your score to see if you were a natural leader or not. I got an 80: I answered "wrong" on how to best deal with a hypothetical lack of technology knowledge and what to do with leftover funds in the budget at the end of the year.
One of my favorite ideas about leadership, that found a place in the quiz, is how to find unity within a diverse group of people. A question in the above quiz gives you this situation "You have been assigned to lead a team of employees from different races and ethnic backgrounds and whose ages range from early 20s to late 50s. The best way to help the group bond is to..."
What would be your typical response in this situation?
Today's workforce, especially in places like California and New York, is diverse. In some places it's almost certain that a manager or boss will be a different age or cultural background than her or his subordinate or employee. I invite you to take the test to see if you choose the answer that provides the most leadership to the group.
Racialicious.com provides a great round-up of media related to race, diversity, and America, and this week's salient points include another quiz for you (the redesigned United States Naturalization exam for those wishing to become citizens Download PDF of Citizenship Test with Old and New Questions), an analysis of race in Wes Anderson's new movie http://www.slate.com/id/2174828/pagenum/all/#page_start, and news of the release on bail of Mychal Bell, one of the "Jena 6" allegedly racially-motivated beating in Louisiana http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/28/us/28jena.html.
An adage that I heard from the retired business owner of a successful health company strikes true for me in all the above cases. "Leadership is in short supply," he said. For all of you potential, budding, and existing leaders out there: constantly hone your skills. Our future as a diverse country depends on your leadership. For business owners in general and particularly for women of color in business, I encourage you to practice leadership: use diplomacy, negotiation, and all your abilities to find unity in your diverse workforce.
I enjoyed this quiz- especially since they explain each answer so well.
Today I've been doing my first round of cold calling (well, mostly cold emailing & messaging), and after a while I was really starting to feel unsure of myself. Taking this quiz was a needed little boost to help me remember I am competent in business & I can do this.
Thanks!
Posted by: Meg H. | October 4, 2007 11:52 AM | Permalink to Comment