12 Tips for Building a Diverse, Inclusive Peer Network
In the culture space, diverse perspectives are more than a “nice to have” — they’re essential for fostering continuous innovation that resonates with your audience. Building an inclusive network of peers can guarantee access to a wide range of ideas, experiences and viewpoints to enrich your work and inspire growth. However, creating such a network doesn’t happen without intentionality and effort.
To help, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their expert tips on developing a diverse network to help broaden your perspectives and impact.
Find Your Common Ground
Colin Powell once said that it’s easy to spot disagreements, but we should focus on finding common ground. By identifying just one shared purpose, we can work together and uncover how much we have in common. In organizing, business or life, embracing diverse backgrounds becomes easier when we remember that we can always find something to unite us. – Ben Jealous, Sierra Club
Seek Peers Who Foster Inclusion for All
For me, diversity has to do with each individual’s unique perspective of the world, shaped by their own upbringing, values and beliefs. The only thing that should matter is this: Do they have the potential to contribute original ideas? Can they foster a sense of inclusion for everyone at the table, regardless of skin tone or differences of opinion? – Victoria Chynoweth
Start With Creating Diverse Work
Ensure that your work is diverse, and the diversity of your peers will follow. When you open your mind to new ways of thinking, you’ll naturally seek out and embrace new ideas from all walks of life to reach and represent a wider audience. Don’t shy away from what’s normally out of your wheelhouse; make it your business to continuously ask questions and explore outside your usual industry standards. – Andy Hale, Hale & Monico
Build Friendships Across Generations and Backgrounds
Forge friendships with those from different generations and backgrounds than your own — there are five generations employed in today’s workforce! One piece of advice I always give others when they are embarking on creating a new project is that the idea and solution become better when they engage others (different from them) to define the problem and identify solutions. – Marissa Andrada, Marissa Andrada
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Travel to Diverse Locales
Diversity is fundamental in the cannabis industry because the plant has been grown by every culture and background, with landrace strains found on most continents on Earth. My advice is to travel. Show up. By engaging with consumers at expos in Germany, Spain, the U.S., Thailand and Brazil, we display that our employees, community and consumers are as diverse as the seeds themselves. – Lindsey Bartlett, Fast Buds
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Attend Events Centered Around Diversity and Inclusion
Change starts with you. Seek out diversity and inclusion events, conferences and workshops. Gain knowledge, share experiences and connect with those driving real change. – Mo Hamzian, VEL
Connect Outside Your Industry
Don’t limit your connections to people with similar business interests. Even if there’s no immediate opportunity for collaboration, building relationships can lead to unexpected benefits down the line. By expanding your network, you’ll not only increase your chances of success but also enrich your life with diverse experiences and connections. – Jason Peterson, GoDigital Media Group
Encourage Stakeholder Feedback
Be receptive to feedback. By engaging your clientele and having constructive conversations with a diverse range of stakeholders, you open yourself up to a breadth of new ideas that allow you to improve your products or services. – Dustin Eide, CanPay
Collaborate on Projects Outside Your Norm
Be interested. If you genuinely want to expand your influence and experience, you’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by diverse peers. Tap into your curiosity about what’s outside your day-to-day or industry norms. Connect with networks you typically aren’t engaged with through collaborations on projects or speaking engagements that allow you to both share your experiences and hear from others. – Cynthia Johnson, Bell + Ivy
Meet With and Learn From Others With Different Experiences
Think of someone in your orbit who has both notable prowess and a different life experience than you. Say to them, “You have an expertise I do not, and I would love to learn from you.” Offer to buy the first round of drinks. If appropriate, offer to pay for an hour of their consulting time. When you meet up, engage in active listening, take notes and ask follow-up questions. – Jed Brewer, Good Loud Media
Accept Others’ Perspectives (Even When You Don’t Agree)
Be accepting of other ideas and points of view. If you want to build a diverse network of peers, it is not possible to agree with everyone’s views or positions, but you can be accepting of them and engage in strong discussions without being rude. – Matthew Forster, CMS Nashville
Join Global and Cross-Industry Forums
Seek out and actively participate in communities or events outside your usual industry or cultural circles. One tip: Join global or cross-industry forums where diverse perspectives naturally intersect. This broadens your network with varied viewpoints and fosters richer ideas and insights, which are essential for innovative thinking and culturally resonant solutions. – Sonia Singh, Center of Inner Transformations