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The magic “I” of CIO sparks many imaginations: Chief information officer, chief infrastructure officer , Chief Integration Officer, chief International officer, Chief Inspiration Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, Chief Influence Office etc. The future of CIO is entrepreneur driven, situation oriented, value-added,she or he will take many paradoxical roles: both as business strategist and technology visionary,talent master and effective communicator,savvy business enabler and relentless cost cutter, and transform the business into "Digital Master"!

The future of CIO is digital strategist, global thought leader, and talent master: leading IT to enlighten the customers; enable business success via influence.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Inclusiveness

Inclusiveness not only benefits individuals but also enhances organizational performance by fostering innovation and collaboration.

Each of us is a complex blend of contrasts: positive and negative; intuitive and logical with imperfect judgment. Embrace inclusiveness includes different thinking styles and cognitive differences.


The next level of inclusion involves moving beyond basic diversity and inclusion initiatives to create truly equitable environments where systemic barriers are dismantled, and all individuals can thrive. This advanced stage of inclusion focuses on embedding inclusivity into the core values, management, and culture of an organization. Here are some key components to achieving the next level of inclusion:


Inclusive Leadership and Accountability: In today's hyper-connected and hyperdiverse environment, it's important to cultivate an inclusive environment, and ensure leaders are not only diverse but also committed to driving inclusion and equity throughout the organization. Set clear inclusion goals and hold leaders accountable for meeting them through performance evaluations and incentives. Strive for inclusion in leadership positions to reflect the diverse population of the workforce and community.


Neurodiversity: Neurodiversity contributes to team creativity by introducing a range of different perspectives and cognitive approaches. The concept of neurodiversity recognizes the natural variation in mind and behavior among humans. By valuing these diverse cognitive styles, teams can foster an environment where unconventional ideas and problem-solving strategies are encouraged, potentially leading to more innovative and creative outcomes. The neurodiversity movement emphasizes viewing these differences as valuable rather than focusing solely on impairments, aligning with broader inclusion efforts to reduce stigma and recognize the contributions of all individuals.


Quality and Justice-Focused Initiatives: Address systemic inequalities by reviewing and revising organizational structures, policies, processes, and practices that may perpetuate disparities. Conduct regular audits to identify and rectify inequities in resource allocation and career opportunities.


Inclusive Innovation: Recognize and address the interconnected nature of social categorizations and more. Design products and services with diverse user needs in mind, ensuring accessibility and usability for all. Foster diverse teams that bring varied perspectives to the innovation process, enhancing creativity and problem-solving.


Inclusive Policies and Practices: Implement policies that support diversity and inclusion, and ensure that physical and digital spaces are accessible to all. Achieving the next level of inclusion requires a deep, sustained commitment to equity and justice, as well as a willingness to challenge and change existing paradigms.


-Open and Inclusive Communication: Establish regular channels for employees to provide feedback on inclusivity and suggest improvements. Enforce transparency - communicate openly about diversity and inclusion goals, progress, and challenges.


-Community Engagement and Social Responsibility: Build strong relationships with diverse communities to understand their needs and collaborate on initiatives that promote social good.


-Corporate Social Responsibility: Align business practices with social justice goals, contributing to positive societal impact.


-Continuous Learning and Agility: Promote a culture of continuous learning where employees are encouraged to expand their understanding of societal advancement. Be agile in implementing strategies and practices based on feedback, research, and evolving societal norms.


-Well-being and Psychological Safety: Create a supportive workplace culture where employees feel safe to express their identities and perspectives. Provide robust support systems for mental health and well-being, recognizing the diverse needs of the workforce.

 

-Support Networks: Provide support, networking, and professional development opportunities for employees with shared identities or experiences. Use these groups as a platform for gathering feedback on inclusivity efforts and identifying areas for improvement.


-Celebrating Diversity: Organize events and activities that celebrate different cultures, traditions, and identities within the organization. Promote awareness of important cultural and social issues to foster understanding and empathy.


-Inclusion Training: Educate employees about the value of diversity and the importance of inclusivity. Training sessions can cover topics such as unconscious bias, cultural competence, and effective communication across differences. Establish mentorship and sponsorship programs to support the career development of underrepresented groups.


-Inclusive Recruitment Practices: Use different recruitment techniques and diverse hiring panels to minimize bias in the hiring process. Engage with diverse communities and institutions to attract a wide range of candidates.


By implementing these strategies and practices, organizations can create more inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. Inclusiveness not only benefits individuals but also enhances organizational performance by fostering innovation and collaboration.



Innovation via Push & Pull

Value innovation supports both push and pull strategies by enabling companies to offer unique value propositions that can either drive market demand or respond to it effectively.

Digital organizations are organic, alive, holistic, vibrant, energetic, responsive, fluid, and innovative, in a relationship with their environment dynamically, and above all enhance and support the dignity of the creative human spirit. 


“Push” and “Pull” are the duel forces business management must master in order to “run, grow, and transform” their organization at a steadfast speed.



In a push strategy, value innovation can help a company proactively shape market demand by introducing unique products or services that redefine consumer expectations and create new markets. You are motivated to keep moving forward via a necessary “push: In business transformation, "push" and "pull" relate to motivational processes and strategies. "Push" motives are driven by internal needs or pressures within an organization, such as the need to improve efficiency, reduce costs, or innovate internally. These are intrinsic factors that compel a business to change from within. There are also external push factors such as macro macroeconomic environment or customer demands, which drive business initiatives for improving qualities of products or services. By eliminating and reducing unnecessary features and costs, companies can streamline their offerings, making them more appealing to distributors and retailers, thus facilitating the push strategy.


In a pull strategy, value innovation attracts consumers directly by offering differentiated and valuable products or services that meet unmet needs or create new desires. By raising and creating new value factors, companies can generate consumer demand, pulling products through the distribution channels as consumers actively seek them out."Pull" motives are influenced by external goals or opportunities. These could include shifts in consumer preferences, technological advancements, or market opportunities that a business can exploit to gain a competitive advantage. Pull factors are often about responding to external market conditions or opportunities that encourage a business to transform in order to capitalize on these changes.


Overall, value innovation supports both push and pull strategies by enabling companies to offer unique value propositions that can either drive market demand or respond to it effectively. In practice, business transformation often involves a combination of both push and pull factors. Companies may need to internally motivate change while also responding to external market opportunities to achieve successful transformation.




InnovationviaInclusion

 Inclusion enhances creativity in teams by bringing together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches.

Diversity and Inclusion are crucial in problem-solving because they bring together a range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that can lead to more innovative and effective solutions. When individuals from diverse backgrounds collaborate, they contribute unique viewpoints that can challenge conventional thinking and uncover new possibilities. This is particularly important in complex problem-solving scenarios where a single perspective might overlook critical aspects of the issue.


Incorporating diversity in problem-solving also helps in creating more inclusive and equitable solutions. By considering the needs and experiences of various groups, solutions can be tailored to be more effective and fair for a broader audience. This approach is supported by inclusive initiatives, which highlight how different aspects of identity intersect to shape individual experiences and challenges. An inclusive approach can lead to more comprehensive and customized solutions that address the root causes of problems and reduce friction and outdated concepts.


Inclusion in problem-solving can enhance creativity and innovation. When team members bring different cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds to the table, they can combine their knowledge in novel ways, leading to breakthroughs that might not occur in a more homogenous group. This diversity of thought is a valuable asset in any problem-solving process, as it encourages the exploration of multiple solutions and the consideration of various potential outcomes.


Cognitive difference enhances innovative problem solving: The idea of neurodiversity highlights the value of different ways of thinking and experiencing the world, suggesting that diverse teams can benefit from the unique strengths and perspectives of their members. 


Inclusion enhances creativity in teams by bringing together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches. When team members come from diverse backgrounds, they are likely to view challenges and opportunities through different lenses, which can lead to more innovative solutions and creative outcomes. This variety in thought processes and experiences can stimulate new ideas and foster an environment where creativity thrives. 


Polyplot

Despite these challenges, polyglots often develop strategies to effectively manage their language skills and leverage their abilities to enhance communication and cultural understanding.

A polyglot is an individual who possesses linguistic fluency in multiple languages. This term is often used to describe someone who can speak, read, or write in several languages with a high degree of proficiency.


Polyglotism refers to the ability of an individual to speak multiple languages fluently. Polyglots are often able to switch between languages with ease, adapting to different linguistic contexts and social settings. This skill can be acquired through various means, such as growing up in a multilingual environment, formal education, or self-directed learning. Polyglotism is highly valued in today's globalized world, as it enhances communication, cultural understanding, and cognitive flexibility.


Polyglots, despite their linguistic abilities, may face several challenges in communication. These challenges can arise from various factors related to language use, cultural nuances, and personal experiences. Here are some common challenges that polyglots might encounter:


-Language Interference: Polyglots may experience interference, where elements of one language affect their use of another. This can lead to mixing vocabulary, grammar, or pronunciation, sometimes resulting in confusion or misunderstandings.


-Maintaining Proficiency: Keeping up proficiency in multiple languages requires regular practice and exposure. Without consistent use, some languages may become rusty or degrade over time, making it difficult to maintain fluency.


-Cultural Nuances: Language is deeply tied to culture, and understanding cultural contexts, idioms, and humor can be challenging. Polyglots need to navigate these subtleties to communicate effectively and avoid cultural faux pas.


-Code-Switching: While switching between languages can be a strength, it can also pose challenges, especially in environments where only one language is expected or appropriate. Code-switching must be managed carefully to ensure clear communication.


-Identity and Perception: Polyglots might face identity challenges, as they often navigate multiple cultural identities. Additionally, they may encounter perceptions or stereotypes based on their language abilities or accents, which can affect interactions.


-Emotional Expression: Some polyglots find it difficult to express emotions or nuanced thoughts equally well in all their languages, as emotional connections to languages can vary based on personal experiences and contexts of use.


-Contextual Adaptation: Adapting language use to different contexts, such as formal vs. informal settings, can be demanding. Polyglots need to be aware of appropriate language registers and styles for various situations.


-Overwhelm: Managing multiple languages, especially in professional or academic settings, can lead to cognitive overload. Balancing language use without becoming overwhelmed is a common challenge.


The world become so hyperconnected and interdependent, that despite these challenges, polyglots often develop strategies to effectively manage their language skills and leverage their abilities to enhance communication and cultural understanding, making a significant contribution to harmonizing global societies.


Pathos

In the thoughts and the words, in the moments we share, you remind us it is real, regardless of the distance far or near…

We are creative human beings,
oh, pathos, pathos, 

you weave through our emotions,

connect with our thoughts;

in the stories that we carry, 

in the mindfulness that makes us whole.

You’re the echo of our voice, 

the energy in ourselves;

In the tapestry of life, 

you’re the light, shining around,

keep us moving back & forward...


In the shadows of the struggles, 

where emotions run deep,

There’s a lake of feelings, 

a hidden corner we keep;

with every tear that falls, 

and every silent sigh,

We find the strength within ourselves, 

overcome those barriers & obstacles..


Pathos, pathos

In the thoughts and the words,

in the moments we share,

you remind us it is real,

regardless of the distance far or near;

through the trials and the tests,

you’re the voice that I hear,

a bitterness of feels,

 that makes me feel wield...


When the world seems to be heavy, 

and the night is so deep,

can we keep quiet, 

untangle complexities,

make all things reasonable?


InnovativeBoDs

The directorship in any organization must be able to not only adapt to changes, but also to proactively drive changes, and build professional competencies to advise, inspire, and motivate, with the goals to run successful organizations.

Under today’s “VUCA” business dynamic, running a high-performance business is full of challenges. So the corporate board as the advising role is responsible for steering the organization in the right direction and providing an “outside-in” view of the business via multidimensional lenses to oversee and advise business strategy.


In specific, board directors are responsible for setting the strategic direction of a corporation, assessing the performance of the management team, and ensuring good governance practices to improve the organization's effectiveness and efficiency, as well as the overall business maturity. 


Inclusive board directors: The corporate board of directors holds significant power in corporate governance, sharing responsibility for strategic planning with the management team. Board directors, especially, independent directors, play a key role by providing impartial oversight and helping set corporate goals. They have a fiduciary responsibility to the shareholders, ensuring that the company's management drives business changes and achieves higher-than-expected business performance.


Independent board directors can enhance the board's effectiveness by providing diverse perspectives and expertise, which can lead to more innovative solutions and strategies. They often serve as a check on management, ensuring that the company's leadership is held accountable and that the company's operations align with its strategic goals.


Challenges independent directors face in their roles: Besides impartial oversight BoDs should provide, they must also navigate the complexities of corporate governance, ensuring that strategic goals are set and met without direct involvement in day-to-day operations. So collectively, corporate boards can lead to more objective decision-making.


Additionally, board directors often need to coordinate with each other to ensure cohesive and effective board activities. These challenges require corporate board directors to possess industry expertise and strong communication skills to fulfill their roles effectively.


Boards need to advocate, steer, and sustain innovation. Innovation has to deliver business objectives, but it needs the right kind of governance to thrive. In forward-looking organizations, innovation strategy becomes an integral part of business strategy which requires the board's oversight.


A good governance standard provides a common corporate "language" as well as work instructions to improve innovation effectiveness. It’s important to set good principles for shaping the heterogeneous team with neurodiversity, complementary skill sets, and diverse experiences to boost idea creation and improve the innovation success rate. 


Board Directors need to understand the difference between being a director and the operator of the business. To avoid micromanagement, corporate boards are more of a problem-definer than the direct problem-solver.  The directorship in any organization must be able to not only adapt to changes, but also to proactively drive changes, and build professional competencies to advise, inspire, and motivate, with the goals to run successful organizations.


In Between

To the lessons we learned in silence, for the goals we set in discipline; we guide ourselves, via our inner compass…

Oh, oh, the world is vast and diverse;

in between the laughter and the tears, 

we develop personal stories;

in between truth and false, 

we refine collective wisdom;

In the whispers of nature, 

we recognize underneath patterns, 

glue up -

 different pieces of puzzles...



In between voice and silence, 

where shadows softly cast;

In the space between the moments, 

can we deepen our thoughts?

Not quite the beginning,

not yet the end,

In this fragile balance, 

we learn how to transcend ourselves.



Walk on the edges, 

where the light meets the dark,

In the uncertainty of the journey, 

we're searching for a purpose.

In between the order and chaos, 

shall we move faster;

every twist and turn, 

every road that we take,

can they lead us to -

the great places,

where our inner self continues to develop strength...


In the ebb and flow of life river, 

are we able to swim promptly;

on the hill and in the valley of our trip,

can we embrace diverse views with fresh thoughts;;

in between light and darkness,

we reflect, recharge, reinvent ourselves;

In between character and charism,

we shape who we are, authentically;

To the lessons we learned in silence, 

for the goals we set in discipline;

we guide ourselves, via our inner compass;

in between the lines, 

shall we walk across boundaries?

in between the stories, 

can we set ourselves free,

reveal truth inspirationally?


Instrumentalism

 In modern science, instrumentalism is reflected in approaches like constructive empiricism, which emphasizes empirical adequacy over truth, focusing on a theory's ability to predict observable phenomena.

Instrumentalism is a philosophical view in the philosophy of science that evaluates scientific theories based on their usefulness in making accurate empirical predictions or solving conceptual problems, rather than their literal truth or correspondence to reality.


It suggests that scientific theories are tools for addressing practical problems rather than meaningful descriptions of the natural world.




Information-based Theories: Instrumentalists question whether theoretical terms correspond to external reality, contrasting with scientific realism, which holds that scientific theories aim to describe the world accurately. The approach is motivated by the belief that scientific theories are underdetermined by available data, and no finite evidence can conclusively prove one theory's truth over another.


Problem-solving: Evaluate scientific theories based on their usefulness in making accurate predictions or solving problems comprehensively. Instrumentalism in science is a philosophical view that evaluates scientific theories based on their usefulness in making accurate predictions or solving problems. Instrumentalists see theories as tools for practical problem-solving, contrasting with scientific realism, which holds that theories aim to describe the world accurately.


Global Instrumentalism: To broaden such a concept, instrumental leadership harmonizes the world; instrumental innovation harnesses collaboration and generates great values. Global instrumentalism based on world-class insight can shape a holistic global view that looks at problems or issues in such a way that a solution emerges through a collaboratively interdisciplinary and multicultural approach involving global psychological capital, intellectual capital, and social capital.


Instrumentalists think that theories are valuable for their predictive success, not their truth. In modern science, instrumentalism is reflected in approaches like constructive empiricism, which emphasizes empirical adequacy over truth, focusing on a theory's ability to predict observable phenomena and solve problems informatively.



Innerconnective Guidance

Overall, these elements of connectivity contribute to a profound sense of fulfillment by enriching our lives with meaningful interactions.

People want to live a fulfilling life with a fulfilling career. Generally speaking, a fulfilling mind is free to think, being in the zone with a dot-connecting creative passion, with an abundance of perspective and a sense of confidence, to enjoy such fulfilling experiences.


One should move towards experiencing total freedom first. And true fulfillment comes when you visibly see what have accomplished is able to make a difference, or advocate freedom.


A sense of fulfillment can be influenced by various factors, including professional and personal choices. Maintaining strong connections with trustful ones can provide emotional nourishment and help dispel feelings of despair or fatigue, contributing to a sense of fulfillment. The fulfillment that comes from a deep sense of connectivity is often rooted in the quality and depth of relationships we have with others. This type of fulfillment is characterized by:


Purpose and Meaning: Relationships can provide a sense of purpose, as they often involve caring for others and contributing to their happiness.


Emotional Support: Having people to turn to during times of need can provide comfort and reassurance, contributing to an overall sense of well-being.


Shared Experiences: Engaging in activities and creating memories with others can strengthen bonds and enhance the feeling of being part of something larger than oneself.


Understanding and Empathy: Feeling understood and valued by others fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance, which is crucial for emotional fulfillment.


Community and Belonging: Being part of a community or group where one feels accepted and valued can significantly enhance feelings of fulfillment and satisfaction.


Overall, these elements of connectivity contribute to a profound sense of fulfillment by enriching our lives with meaningful interactions. Additionally, the modern phenomenon of existential crises highlights the struggle individuals face when choosing among numerous life options without a guiding system of values. This situation can lead to an "agony of choice," but it also allows people to apply personal meaning to different aspects of their lives, which can be a source of fulfillment.