What Organizations Can Learn About Diversity from the Jeremy Lin Story: Part One

In recent weeks, Jeremy Lin has been the subject of intense media coverage, both here and abroad.  In case you have somehow missed this remarkable story, Jeremy Lin was a virtual unknown a few weeks ago.  He now is an emerging NBA star, who is only playing for the New York Knicks because his coach did not have anyone else to put in.  Here is a basketball player who graduated from high school and did not receive any college scholarship offers.  He decided to go to Harvard, not exactly a top-notch basketball school.  He did well there, but garnered little interest from the pros.  Upon graduation two years ago, he eventually found some professional teams that were willing to take a chance on him, but he sat on the bench most of the time and was even sent down to something called the NBA developmental league.

During the last two weeks, he has succeeded in turning a dysfunctional Knick team into winners.  His emergence as a scorer and playmaker is unprecedented.  By the way, I forgot to mention that he is the American son of Taiwanese immigrants, an Asian-American in a sport dominated by African-Americans.

So what can organizations learn from this developing story?

1.  Look beyond stereotypes to find talent.  How many teams passed or gave up on Jeremy Lin because he did not “look the part?”  How many stereotyped him because of his basketball pedigree, because he was Asian American, a graduate of Harvard, or even exceptionally smart?

2. Understand that diversity is multidimensional.  What makes Lin so valuable to the Knicks is not just his athletic ability.  It is his character, his humility, his ability to bring out the best in his teammates.  Lin constantly deflects praise onto the rest of his team.  He is extremely humble, making sure to thank his teammates, his coach, and most importantly, God.

3. Understand and value the importance of hard work.  Jeremy Lin did not become a success overnight.  He worked at his craft, constantly.  And when he finally got an opportunity, he took full advantage of it.

…to be continued

 

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