Leaders are often focusing on more than one strategic or operational goal, making decisions, motivating their team, class, department, company, college or community. It can be lonely, but support can come from many quarters -a definite reward of leadership.

Leading diverse teams, reaching out to many and diverse points of view can not only inform many decisions but also build toward current and future successes.

How can you be a leader in our very diverse state? How can you help capture the richness of NJ's diversity and expand your own horizons, your company's reach, your community's civic life and even your family's experiences?

The American Conference on Diversity encourages you to Be a Leader and here is how:

Lead through Education
            Learn more. To learn more about the many cultures and faiths different from yours,  at work or at school sit with someone different from yourself and ask questions;  explore the library, on-line research or read books about different cultures and faiths;  participate in a community multi-cultural festival. Keep an open mind, learn about       opportunities for new experiences with people different from yourself.  Most of all step out of your comfort zone to learn.
 
Lead through Outreach
             Reach out. Do your friends, doctors, dentists, clergy, fellow congregants and  co-volunteers look like you?  If yes, it's time to reach out to individuals and groups different from yourself.  Consider volunteering for an organization whose mission and work you believe in but serves people different from you.
 
Lead through Action
             Speak Out. Look around you and listen carefully.  What images do you see in Newspapers, magazines and TV?  What messages are children bringing home from school from play, from sports: Step out of your comfort zone and speak up and speak out.  The more diverse we are, the more important it is to create a more civil society.
 
For all NJ leaders, there is always room to learn and grow. It is important that we all reach our leadership potential. That is why at the American Conference on Diversity we say our work is the unfinished business of living in a highly diverse state. For all of us, as future and current leaders, this learning is a journey we can all take together.