There’s Power in Uniting Difference

(<5 minute read)

When we think of great leaders, we often imagine charisma, vision, and a sense of unwavering certainty. But what if the real mark of leadership is the ability to bring people together, especially those who see the world differently?

Abraham Lincoln, as Doris Kearns Goodwin reveals in Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, surrounded himself with people who challenged him. Cabinet members who had been political enemies, thinkers with different agendas, even rivals who openly criticized him. Lincoln knew that unity wasn’t about silencing dissent, but about finding strength in it.

In today’s workplace, too many teams play it safe, seeking like-minded consensus instead of true diversity of thought. Or worse, we do things like assess new team members or hires through the lens of if they’re “fun” or if we’d go on vacation with them. Sure, we want to hire and have kind, thoughtful co-workers. But there are lots of different kinds of people who can work amazingly well together in the workplace even though they may not be vacation buddies outside the office. The result? Groupthink, blind spots, and missed opportunities. The leaders who thrive in complex, fast-changing environments are the ones who know how to unite difference. These folks know how to take diverse perspectives and mold them into a shared purpose. And that is the true test of leadership. It’s not about being “The Boss,” telling everyone what to do, and constantly monitoring for results.

Building a Culture That Welcomes Difference

Great, lofty idea. Create and lead a culture that appreciates difference. It' seems obvious that we would want these kinds of groups and workplaces, right? But, it’s not as easy or obvious as it seems. Uniting difference isn’t about papering over conflict or pretending that all ideas are equal. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe enough to speak up and strong enough to be heard. It’s about curiosity over certainty, a willingness to listen deeply, and the courage to change your mind. It’s really about being open and assuming positive intent.

It’s also about trust. Without it, difference feels threatening. With it, difference becomes fuel for innovation.

The Contrarian Edge: Embracing Healthy Tension

Great leaders understand that healthy tension—yes, even conflict—can be a force for progress. When diverse perspectives clash, they often reveal hidden truths that would have remained invisible in an echo chamber. The key is to channel that tension into constructive debate and shared learning. And to continually reinforce that voices are welcome, that it’s okay to disagree, and that the best way the team, group, or company can win is if the whole team is in it together.

Abraham Lincoln’s genius wasn’t just in uniting difference—it was in knowing when to let people fight it out and when to step in to unify. His “Team of Rivals” was messy, but it was also a crucible for some of the most important decisions in American history.

Closing Thought

In a world where division feels easier than dialogue, uniting difference is the ultimate leadership super power. It’s not about avoiding conflict, but about turning it into the engine of progress. And that’s how leaders build teams—and nations—that last.