The Importance of Skill Set Diversity

Consider an orchestra. It requires every instrument to function well, representing the initial diversity of skills. Similarly, in a business, having a variety of skill sets is crucial. For instance, if a company has all engineers but no marketers, it will struggle to promote its product, leading to potential failure. Therefore, having diverse skill sets is essential for success.

Diversity in Backgrounds

Once the necessary skill sets are identified, the next step is to decide who to hire. This is where debates often arise. There are two main lines of thought:

1. Hire the Best Possible Person: This perspective focuses solely on the individual's capabilities, regardless of their background.
2. Value Diverse Backgrounds: This perspective emphasizes that diverse backgrounds enrich the overall chemistry. For example, in an orchestra, having musicians with jazz, classical, and rock backgrounds can add unique flavors to the music and foster mutual growth.

The Intersection of Both Perspectives

Some people believe these two perspectives are mutually exclusive, but they can actually complement each other. This is where the concept of subconscious bias comes into play.

Understanding Subconscious Bias

Subconscious bias occurs when we unconsciously favor people who are similar to us. For example, a conductor with a classical background might prefer hiring classical musicians, believing they are superior to jazz or rock musicians. This bias limits the pool of candidates and reduces the chances of finding the best talent.

The Impact of Subconscious Bias

• Narrowing the Pool: By favoring a specific background, we unintentionally narrow our candidate pool, excluding potentially excellent candidates from other backgrounds.
• Unintentional Bias: This bias is not a reflection of one's ethics or personality but rather an unconscious error in judgment.

Overcoming Subconscious Bias

To build the best team or orchestra, it is crucial to recognize and overcome subconscious bias. By evaluating candidates from a wider pool and giving equal opportunity to all, we increase the likelihood of finding the best talent. This approach leads to a diverse and high-performing team, not just for the sake of diversity, but because it genuinely results in better outcomes.

Conclusion

Diversity in skill sets and backgrounds is essential for success in any field. By understanding and addressing subconscious bias, we can make more informed and equitable hiring decisions, ultimately leading to better performance and innovation.