Identity, group membership, culture and diversity with Karl Melrose.

We think about identity as the thing that makes us different - but in large part, when we slice it finely, identity generally tells us what groups we are a member of, and what common ground we have with other people.

With enough time, common ground becomes culture, and culture becomes a manual that tells us how to act in the world.

Manuals make us comfortable and give us solid foundations on which to make the kinds of choices that require solid foundations.

So what then of diversity?

Common ground isn't just "us" - it's "not us."

And when those who dance are considered mad by those who cannot hear the music, and we can't hear their music - how do we know how to respond?

In this DD we will explore identity, group membership and culture - and diversity.

Karl came to the conclusion recently that the problems with the most significant potential to derail organisations were not technical problems, they were problems of people working in groups. The strongest evidence he finds for this is in the conversations that can't be had because they are unbearable  for the group of people who need to have them most. He's studying Systems Psychodynamics with NIODA in Australia and trying to work out how we can get along, have productive conversations and get stuff done.