Empowerment through diversity, equity and inclusion leads to innovation
There is no doubt that innovation fuels the very essence of human advancement, leading us towards a more prosperous future and enhanced lives. To assert this, we must recognize the pivotal role played by individuals who possess the power to revolutionize products and reshape technology.
At Johnson & Johnson, the focus is on empowering individuals and cultivating a culture of excellence, as stated in our Credo. This is crucial because it forms the foundation of innovation. It goes beyond aligning everyone towards a shared objective; it’s about creating an inspiring atmosphere where every team member feels empowered to unleash their full potential and make their maximum contribution.
That is why leadership in today’s multifaceted and multi-generational workplace is about transcending generational stereotypes and focusing on what each person brings to the table, as an individual, and not someone already pre-labelled by social norms of the day. It’s about leveraging a rich collective of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to drive innovation and excellence.
This also means that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are more than just buzzwords, and for us, they’re woven into the fabric of our organizational DNA, guided by principles laid down in our eighty-year-old Credo that’s proven its relevance time and again. It has helped shape Johnson & Johnson into the company that it is today, aimed at tackling the world’s toughest health challenges through scientific innovation and medical technology.
Working in the vibrant and diverse backdrop of South Africa, the “rainbow nation,” has only deepened my belief in the power of embracing every person’s ability and potential to contribute in various ways, to the benefit of themselves, the patients we serve, colleagues, and the companies that they help build.
DEI is a journey of discovery, it’s an opportunity to pursue constant and never-ending improvement where a melting pot of ideas drives solutions, the proverbial out of the box thinking, that results in outputs and outcomes that usually excel beyond expectations.