“Problems cannot be solved using the thinking that created them.” Albert Einstein
Historically, we have always believed that we are divided by our differences, e.g., race, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, generation, politics, tribe, etc., and united by our similarities. But, borrowing from Thomas Paine, even a long history of thinking a thing right does not stop it from being wrong.But, while important to us, the lines of difference we see exist only in our minds. Nature does not draw lines; we do—all of them. So, nothing stands between us humans, no walls, barriers, obstacles, or fault lines. Therefore, there is nothing outside of our heads to be removed, navigated, torn down, set aside, or bridged. Continuing to believe and operate as if the lines of difference divide us perpetuates and worsens the genuine problems that plague and bedevil our organizations, communities, and world. Pointedly, this is why most leadership development, DEI, and organizational culture change efforts struggle and fall far short of the mark. Organizations cannot improve using the thinking currently holding them back.A new mindset is required to solve our problems—a transformational shift in how we see and think about ourselves and the nature of our relationships with others. That shift is:
From seeing ourselves as divided by differences to recognizing that what we are is separated by emotional distance.
Emotional distance is the emotional separation between people attributable solely to the lines of difference. Once we shift our mindset from difference to distance, we will quickly find that human-to-human relationships lie at the heart of every organizational success and failure. From here, the question should not be how are we different or similar, but how are we together? Are our relationships strong and resilient? Do we trust and care about each other? Do we know or only know about each other?Organizations seeking dramatic change must make improving the quality of the relationships that form them their number one priority.
Falker Consulting Group has pioneered the thinking behind the difference to distance mindset shift and is uniquely qualified to help organizations transform their cultures using it.
