Matthew Taylor’s (2010) talk,
appropriately named the “21st Century Enlightenment” was created to
motivate the audience to question our current culture and drive change within
the 21st century. He
encourages the viewer "to live differently…to think differently." What
he means is we cannot conform to the modern views in order to grow and
change. Our thoughts must challenge the
status quo in order to continually develop.
So often it is seen where people begin to feel comfortable in their stereotypical
views and habitual behaviors that they do not realize the reality they are
forming may be quite different than what is possible or true. I agree with Taylor’s statement that we need
"to resist our tendencies to make right or true that which is merely
familiar and wrong or false that which is only strange." Just as in the times of Galileo, there are
people today that do not realize how erroneous our thinking is. Perhaps the sun does not revolve around the
earth. Perhaps profit margins, bottom
dollar figures or return on investment are not the best indicators of
organizational success.
I face the
fight against decade old stereotypes on a daily basis. As a disabled individual, I am fighting the
view of our current society that silently places persons with disabilities in a
group of “less than capable” adults.
Many do not understand that I can still be a mom, I can still provide
critical and substantive thought in problem-solving and I can positively
contribute to society. At a recent
county-wide meeting of top executives, I had to prove my worth while others at
the table only had to wear a name badge or show off a shiny new pen to gain
respect and equality.
How
refreshing it would be if we could get to a place where pop culture can promote
persons that are diverse. How amazingly
novel it would be to challenge long-standing social trends and views, replacing
them with empathetic and respectful schemas.
While we are not there yet, we are increasing our tolerance for
diversity in organizations around the globe.
Years ago we fought segregation.
Now, we have judges, law enforcement officers, neurosurgeons,
politicians and presidents that are in positions of power when less than 60
years ago, they were fighting for equal rights.
How did
these changes occur? What were the most
effective ways to increase empathy and decrease collaborative views against
change? Individuals had to develop new
experiences and replace their traditional thoughts. When we rely on the mainstream views, when we
jump on the organizational bandwagon and go along for the ride, when we engage
in think tanks that consist of little thought, we risk creating inflexible
concrete thoughts that will not stand the test of time.
According to Brown
(2011), “the most important lesson managers need to learn is that there are
only two kinds of companies- those that are changing and those that are going
out of business” (p. 37). In an organization, managers can improve their odds
of continued success by encouraging individuals to think and contribute
individually through reflective thought and self-awareness activities. This can help foster positive changes that
continue to grow the diverse culture within the organization.
I am thankful that many companies are
becoming more open to hiring individuals with disabilities as leaders in the
organizations and realizing that our contributions are equally or possibly more
valuable than those of our able-bodied peers.
I am also thankful for Taylor’s boldness in presenting such an idea as
it motivates me to continue pursuing the dream of equal opportunity and helping
change attitudinal and architectural barriers faced by persons with
disabilities. To think that less than 50
years ago, I would be forced into an institution and separated from my family
gives me hope that 50 years from now we will live in a world that supports all
people and respects their differences.
Brown, D. (2011). An Experiential
Approach to Organizational Development. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice-Hall.
Taylor, M. (2010, August 19). RSA ANIMATE: 21st
Century Enlightenment. Retrieved June 06, 2016, from
https://youtu.be/AC7ANGMy0yo
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