Comments on: Novartis’ David Epstein: A Diverse Team Can ‘Accomplish Feats Nobody Thought Possible’ http://www.diversityinc.com/leadership/novartis-david-epstein-a-diverse-team-can-accomplish-feats-nobody-thought-possible/ DiversityInc: Diversity and the Bottom Line Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:27:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Luke Visconti http://www.diversityinc.com/leadership/novartis-david-epstein-a-diverse-team-can-accomplish-feats-nobody-thought-possible/comment-page-1/#comment-10215 Luke Visconti Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:54:54 +0000 http://www.diversityinc.com/?p=24235#comment-10215 Yes, it is a broad statement, but the cognitive diversity that many hold as a team-composition goal is directly connected to traditional “diversity” factors such as race, orientation, disability, age and gender. Those facets—particularly the ones around which discrimination occurs—shape experience, which in turn creates cognitive diversity. And although I agree with you about ongoing education disparities and progress, what you didn’t mention (and may agree with) is that progressive schools can bridge those gaps by providing exposure to underrepresented groups in areas in which there are gaps. For example, the dean of Rutgers’ School of Engineering recently established an engineering office on the women’s campus of Rutgers, and he was able to recruit 50 women from other majors.

Novartis takes a proactive hand in shaping its own future—David Epstein is a Rutgers graduate and a key supporter of a very innovative program at our School of Pharmacy. I think it’s important to point out that a well-run university—and a well-run organization—will purposely and proactively develop pipeline programs that support opening the aperture to underrepresented groups to give them the experiences that lead to hiring people. That’s a far better way to shape your own future than relying on serendipity. And I think a well-run corporation that takes these steps will build the cognitive diversity to allow it to consistently beat its competition. Luke Visconti, CEO, DiversityInc

]]> By: Bill http://www.diversityinc.com/leadership/novartis-david-epstein-a-diverse-team-can-accomplish-feats-nobody-thought-possible/comment-page-1/#comment-10214 Bill Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:39:59 +0000 http://www.diversityinc.com/?p=24235#comment-10214 That is a very broad statement to make. The diversity he is speaking of is a diversity of thought and educational experience. Most Americans when they think of diversity they first think race and then the thought is gender. I have have always told my technology clients that diversity comes in different forms and the true diversity they should look at is the diversity of educational backgrounds.
In this country (the U.S.) you can not always attein diversity of race within your tech teams. That is because of the availability pool of qualified applicants.
I have sat on 40+ engineering advisory boards at U.S. universities and the real paradigm shift is the continued rise of female and hispanic numbers in undergraduate engineering freshmen numbers. Unfortunately, African-American numbers are lacking in America’s top engineering school.

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