by Andy
March 30, 2011
This morning I attended a meeting hosted by the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce (MACOC) where Tom Fanning was the featured guest. Tom is Chairman/CEO of Southern Company and follows in the footsteps of giants including David Radcliffe and A.W. ‘Bill’ Dahlberg. Listening to Mr. Fanning, you quickly realize he is imbued with a deep passion for the category, boundless energy, and deep enthusiasm for Southern Company.
In terms of his leadership, Mr. Fanning spoke of five priorities:
- Preserve the foundation of the business model.
- Lead the renaissance of nuclear.
- Help drive national energy policy that is sensible.
- Leverage technology to empower consumers.
- People are the foundation of the company.
The nuclear disaster at the Fukushima power plant makes being a proponent of smart, safe nuclear energy interesting and complex to say the least. (A flawed safeguard to that plant’s design was the externally located diesel generators that provided back-up electricity, which washed away in the subsequent tsunami. Why a reactor with exposed generators is located on the coast of a country prone to earthquakes, and the tsunamis that can follow, is another discussion. But this is not the point of my entry.)
Beyond supporting energy policy that features a sensible and safe nuclear strategy (which we all expected him to address), a unique point that really stuck with me was the importance of diversity. Most connote corporate diversity with hiring demographics (age, race, ethnicity, religion). For Mr. Fanning, it had nothing to do with doing the right thing. While Southern Company certainly goes above and beyond to promote racial diversity in its hiring practices, Mr. Fanning explained ‘diversity of thought’ as one of Southern Company’s key drivers of success.
Strong leadership takes optimism, vision, and the willingness to proceed down necessary paths no matter how ominous the weather may appear. To prepare for such journeys, those willing to nurture diversity of thought while building a culture of excellence are best positioned to survive and thrive. It’s not about many cultures and one thought, but one culture and many thoughts that create real opportunity for success.
The reins of Southern Company are in good hands and will no doubt continue to succeed and lead for another 100 years.
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Blogs Very informative article. I’ve found your blog via Yahoo and I?m really glad about the information you provide in your posts. Thank You for sharing this very informative article… Regards
There are choices of energy to power our lights AND there are choices of light to power our energy. Diversity is POWER.
There are choices of energy to power our lights AND there are choices of light to power our energy. Diversity is POWER.
Diversity is essential to survival. Throughout the history of this planet species that failed to diversify became extinct. In business, enterprises must diversify in order to adapt to change. And genuine diversity means diversity of perspectives, thoughts and ideas. Without genuine diversity we can’t plan for, assess or respond to change. And if we can’t handle change, we will not survive.
Diversity is essential to survival. Throughout the history of this planet species that failed to diversify became extinct. In business, enterprises must diversify in order to adapt to change. And genuine diversity means diversity of perspectives, thoughts and ideas. Without genuine diversity we can’t plan for, assess or respond to change. And if we can’t handle change, we will not survive.
Completely I share your opinion.
Completely I share your opinion.
In order to be open to that kind of diversity, you have to be secure enough to listen and be willing to shelve your own ideas for a better one. That’s probably a good quality to have if you are the leader. However as I’m sure we all have seen, it’s not a requirement.
In order to be open to that kind of diversity, you have to be secure enough to listen and be willing to shelve your own ideas for a better one. That’s probably a good quality to have if you are the leader. However as I’m sure we all have seen, it’s not a requirement.
Every meeting/blog should yield one worthy pearl and Diversity of Thought is a keeper: It’s not about many cultures and one thought, but one culture and many thoughts (that create real opportunity for success).
The very nature of diversity of thought is about quality, not quota, which is certainly the preferred path. Individual quality vs demographic quota. The strength of an organization derives from the quality of thought, and that thinking is stimulated by legitimate engagement and the opportunity to contribute. “Having a seat at the table”, a voice, energizes a sense of personal worth and value to the organization among individuals. To limit, restrict, or homogenize that thinking, those contributions, is to stifle, and to stifle is to eventually stall. Your culture is either engaged, or disengaged. One culture / many thoughts opens the door for real participation, real contribution, real innovation.
Thanks for calling that gem to my/our attention.
Every meeting/blog should yield one worthy pearl and Diversity of Thought is a keeper: It’s not about many cultures and one thought, but one culture and many thoughts (that create real opportunity for success).
The very nature of diversity of thought is about quality, not quota, which is certainly the preferred path. Individual quality vs demographic quota. The strength of an organization derives from the quality of thought, and that thinking is stimulated by legitimate engagement and the opportunity to contribute. “Having a seat at the table”, a voice, energizes a sense of personal worth and value to the organization among individuals. To limit, restrict, or homogenize that thinking, those contributions, is to stifle, and to stifle is to eventually stall. Your culture is either engaged, or disengaged. One culture / many thoughts opens the door for real participation, real contribution, real innovation.
Thanks for calling that gem to my/our attention.
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Thank you for this blog. Thats all I can say. You most definitely have made this blog into something thats eye opening and important. You clearly know so much about the subject, youve covered so many bases. Great stuff from this part of the internet. Again, thank you for this blog.
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It shows how well you understand this subject. Bookmarked this page,thanks god someone that actually knows what they are talking about – thank you,2
It’s weird how people comment so different about your post.
It’s weird how people comment so different about your post.