The Value of Outside-In Thinking
Glee's new Men's Football Coach, Shannon Beiste. Photo by Fox
I’ve been working in public relations for more than 20 years and as our industry has changed so have our hiring practices. My firm has gone to great lengths to bring in talent from areas other than the public relations industry believing that some of the most innovative thinking can come from the outside in. Often, bringing in the best and the brightest requires one to look beyond traditional circles. This approach leads to diversity – diversity in thinking, ideas and results.
This, I believe, is what drove NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg to appoint publishing executive Cathleen Black as the city's new schools chancellor. There has been much discussion, debate and complaint about this “controversial” appointment. And while I understand the concern about Ms. Black’s lack of educational credentials, I am amazed by how one-sided the coverage around this issue appears. As we look at the continuing needs of the New York City education system, Mayor Bloomberg’s choice once again demonstrates his bold leadership and passion for challenging the status quo.
Where else have you seen outside-in thinking pay off big?