Can you build unity with a team of diverse people? Not only is it possible, it will drive high performance.

Servant leaders understand that it is important to build their teams with a diverse set of people. They believe all are valuable members, each bringing their own unique skill sets and ideas to bear to the benefit of the team.

Benefits of Diversity

• Increased Adaptability

  • Employees from diverse backgrounds bring individual talents and experiences that are flexible in adapting to fluctuating challenges

• Range of Service Offerings

  • A diverse collection of skills and experiences allows an organization to provide service to a global audience

• Creates Innovation

  • A diverse team that is comfortable communicating varying points of view provides a large variety of ideas to improve the organization. So by working alongside people of different backgrounds, experiences and working styles, creative concepts are born from bouncing ideas off of each other and offering feedback and suggestions.

• Effective Execution

  • Varying degrees of strengths and skills will build improved collective competency, which drives execution.

Importance of Unity

In one of Jesus’ last prayers for his disciples and all of us, he prayed to God that we all become one (Unified) just as he is one with the Father. (John 17:21) Therefore if this is what Jesus is praying for, it seems that unity is important and you should pay attention to it.

Unity requires you to lead and do work as a unit without jeopardizing individual interest in any way as far as the result of the work is concerned.

When fostered your team will feel oneness, togetherness, and harmony for a common purpose and goals. When joined in unity your team will accomplish much bigger work, and collectively put forth the necessary energy to achieve it.

Strength is derived from unity. So when people act in unison with one another their strength increases thousand-fold. Think of the thin fibers of jute or flax, that when twisted together into a rope, can control an elephant.

Application

• Unify around your team’s Purpose, Vision, and Values.
• God is the creator of all and has provided individuals with unique gifts.
• God selects who has what gifts so do not compete and compare.
• Recognize your team has a variety of gifts but keep them focused on the pursuit of the common purpose and vision.
• Know that everyone has a positive contribution to make based on their unique strengths
• Capitalize equally on everyone’s gifts.
• Fully illustrate by your actions that no team member is any more or less important than the other. All are necessary.
• Foster team harmony and mutual care of the team.
• Capitalize on diversity, by asking questions and get all ideas on the table.
• Openly celebrate the diversity of your team.

What have you found effective in promoting both diversity and unity with your team?

(Unity and Diversity in the Body) Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12