Lessons Recap

Learn the Memphis Model

When Diverse People Must Coexist: Acting in a Crisis and Using Diversity to Make Lasting Positive Change

Lesson summary: After centuries of adversity, a unifying diversity. The Memphis economy declined sharply after 1968 and fell behind other major cities in the South. In 1977 & later, the diverse founders of Memphis in May made their shared efforts a catalyst for change that sparked a rebirth, especially in Downtown Memphis.

Never waste a crisis. Doing the same thing again might cause a crisis to persist. A crisis presents a great opportunity for improvement. Define your values before making changes and improvement.

Sometimes the truth hurts. “Us vs. them” can hurt everyone. For Memphis, the city lived in a divided, segregated community where white males (an est. 14% of the population) dominate the leadership and often the wealth. In 2020 this would mean many people are limited in their ability to contribute to the decisions or benefit from participation in all aspects of the economy, i.e., 64% being black and 53% being female. When the situation is grim, try to look at it from many perspectives. Unsolved divisiveness can be the reason that a community, company, school, city or region is stagnant or failing.

Variety is the spice of life. Silo behavior can create an “echo chamber” effect – you only hear your own message from others like you. You must have diversity in order to build a variety of ideas and skills. Diversity needs to be at all levels of decision making and participation in an organization, not just for show. For success, the entire team needs to share and accept the same ultimate goal.

Build on your assets. An organization or community’s assets are not political or partisan. Many assets can be valued by everyone and give people a sense of community – assets can transcend differences.

Delegate, encourage, and put your team interests ahead of your own. After providing clear plans, goals and guidelines to your team, let them have some ownership in what they do, especially as a team that shares the same goals. The boss is a flexible member of a team, not a rigid monarch.

Effective communication must be effective among all people, not just with people like you. Communications needs to be inclusive, consistent and constant.

Encourage passionate people led by competent leaders.

Look forward, not backwards. You cannot undo the past. Be open to new and changing ideas.

Respect each other and you can get strong participation and idea flow. Improve you and your teams listening skills. Try to not judge instantly. Try to understand different points of view.

Coalition building and democracy can be messy. Expect group progress, not perfection. Anticipate some conflict and assist in resolution. Encourage accomplishment as a team. Set the expectations of shared goals and action plans, coalescing and collaboration. Prevent civility from reinforcing the status quo.

Focus on goals and results. While individual performance is important, be sure to encourage team effort and success. Add diversity with talent and you get great ideas and ownership of ideas.

Lead by good example. Leaders should collaborate alongside workers. Leaders who follow the chain of command and who listen intently (not only gives direction) can instill the same behavior among staff and volunteers. Be a person of your word. If circumstances change don’t be silent; explain why there is a course change.

Make something worthwhile that is fun and rewarding together. Motivate, thank, and keep people informed to build enthusiasm and trust.

Before you start an initiative or project, be sure to do an assessment. Reach out to others who know more or who might help an initiative. Do not assume you know everything. Look for root causes. Understand stakeholder views, actions and culture.

The unifying work in Memphis, and throughout organizations, U.S. states and across the world is never finished. Divisions in ideology, politics and religion can cause teamwork to be more difficult, leading to tensions and conflicts. Like a marriage, there should be a constant effort to cooperate, share, listen and value each other.