This advertisement from a telecommunications firm speaks volumes, and all company CEO's ought to listen. My research shows that the future depends on creating landmark products or services, not reengineering the number of jobs in the company cafeteria.
Creativity comes from unlikely juxtapositions.
The best way to maximize differences is to mix ages, cultures, and disciplines in projects that truly capture people's imagination. To gain the collaborative advantage, executives will have to make the shift from top-down to lateral leadership. This not only means articulating goals and challenges in a way that inspires people to collaborate, but bringing extraordinary combinations of people together across traditional boundaries. One excellent example of lateral leadership is Roger Ackerman, CEO of Corning. Yet we didn't know anything about cable or distribution.