The Transformational Leader

24The Game-Changing Power of Diversity

The value of a diverse team is its capacity to challenge the norm or group think and thus boost organizational performance and improve decision-making.

—Yrthya Dinzey-Flores

FOOTBALL HAS ALWAYS been more than just a game to me; it's been a guide, teaching me lessons about life and how the world works. One of the greatest lessons it's taught me, which often surprises people, is the value of embracing diversity. Although I didn't fully grasp this until college, it has since become a guiding principle.

Let's step back to understand why this was such a revelation. My childhood was, by all accounts, a comfortable one. My parents, who've always been my rock, provided my brother and me with a loving, stable home. We were fortunate to never worry about the essentials, like food and shelter, and could even indulge in sports, hobbies, and vacations. The adversity and challenges I encountered in my teenage years were self-induced.

Life shifted gears, though, when I transitioned from high school sports to college athletics. Until then, my teammates were friends I'd known for years, with similar upbringings and life experiences. In college, that familiarity vanished. Suddenly, my teammates were strangers from different walks of life, each with stories and struggles. For example, some had childhoods defined by not knowing where their next meal would come from, and others didn't have the support of both parents like I did.

This shift was an eye-opener. ...