Sometimes, our similarities and differences are easy to see; our outward qualities of age, race, and gender are visible and obvious.

When we see those outward qualities, we may be tempted to label and name before we look deeper to find common ground beyond our surface differences.

We may look different from one another outwardly, while our hearts and minds are aligned; or we may look the same while underneath we hold much different perspectives.

We are the same AND we are different. We are different AND we are the same.

If we want to lead others, we need to be able to see: past and through simarities and differences in the people who make up our communities and organizations. We need to see the possibilities and potential of what we can accomplish together.

Whether we are the same, or different, what counts is what we can do together.

This was originally posted at Mountain State University LeaderTalk and is re-posted with permission.