When it comes to corporate boards and diversity, the conventional wisdom is simple: Diversity is good. When directors are too alike, the thinking goes, they look at problems — and solutions — the same way. There’s no one to challenge prevailing ideas, or to speak out on issues important to certain groups of customers and employees.
By contrast, diversity leads to more innovation, more outside-the-box thinking and better governance.
Sounds great. And it is, in theory. Unfortunately, few boards that pursue diversity ever see the wished-for returns. Many report no significant change in their performance, while others bog down in conflict and gridlock.”
Discuss the benefits and challenges a diverse workforce brings to an organisation.