Why diverse perspectives matter
Imagine building a house with input from only one type of expert—say, an architect. The blueprint might be flawless, but what if the structure isn’t sound? What if the materials aren’t durable? Without engineers, contractors, and even future homeowners contributing their perspectives, the final result might not be livable at all. The same goes for planning any major initiative—without diverse voices, teams risk overlooking critical gaps, missing opportunities, and creating solutions that fall flat.
Inclusive planning changes that. By intentionally involving a variety of perspectives—across roles, backgrounds, and experiences—teams gain richer insights, more creative solutions, and stronger alignment to project goals.
The value of inclusivity in planning
Involving diverse perspectives isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a strategic advantage. Inclusive planning:
- Uncovers hidden opportunities – Different viewpoints surface ideas you might not have considered.
- Mitigates risks – A broader range of input helps identify potential challenges or unintended consequences.
- Drives innovation – Research consistently shows that teams with diverse perspectives are more creative and better at solving complex problems.
Take a product team designing a new app. If they only rely on engineers, they might create a technically brilliant but hard-to-use product. But if they bring in marketers (to align messaging), developers (to assess feasibility), and actual end-users (to validate usability), the result is a more well-rounded, successful product.
How to involve diverse perspectives in planning
Creating an inclusive planning process requires more than just good intentions—it takes deliberate actions and thoughtful strategies. The goal is to ensure that every voice is heard, ideas are thoughtfully considered, and diverse perspectives are integrated in a way that leads to stronger outcomes. Here are some key steps to make it happen.
- Start with representation
Take a step back and audit your planning process. Who’s in the room? Does your team reflect the expertise, roles, and lived experiences necessary for the project? If not, expand your circle.
For example, a healthcare startup designing a new telemedicine platform might bring in:
- Designers for user experience
- Engineers for technical feasibility
- Physicians for medical accuracy
- Patients for firsthand insight
- Structure discussions for balanced input
Simply inviting diverse voices isn’t enough—you need a process to ensure those voices are heard. Use structured techniques like:
- Round-robin discussions – Everyone shares input, avoiding dominant voices taking over.
- Anonymous brainstorming – Helps surface ideas from those who may not feel comfortable speaking up.
- Pre-read materials – Giving people time to reflect before discussions ensures more thoughtful input.
- Use collaborative tools to capture ideas
Not everyone processes ideas the same way. Leverage tools like FigJam or Google Workspace to create shared spaces for input. Visual frameworks—like flowcharts, mind maps, or affinity diagrams—help connect ideas and build alignment. - Embrace constructive debate
Diverse perspectives bring different opinions, and that’s a good thing. Encourage healthy disagreement while maintaining a culture of respect. A facilitator can help by prompting discussion with:
- “What’s the upside of this idea?”
- “What risks or gaps do we need to consider?”
- “How might this approach impact different stakeholders?”
The goal isn’t to eliminate differences in perspective—it’s to use them to create a more well-rounded, effective plan.
Real-world example: inclusive planning in action
A global retail company faced a recurring challenge: their annual marketing campaigns were missing the mark. Why? Because they were planned exclusively by senior leadership, without input from frontline employees or customers.
This year, they tried something different. They invited store employees, regional managers, and even loyal customers into the planning process. Using surveys, focus groups, and interactive workshops, they gathered insights from a broader range of voices.
The result? A campaign that deeply resonated with customers, leading to an 18% increase in year-over-year sales. Employees also reported feeling more valued, which boosted morale and engagement across the company.
The broader impact of inclusive planning
When diverse perspectives are woven into planning, the benefits extend far beyond the project itself:
- More innovation – Fresh ideas emerge when different viewpoints intersect.
- Stronger plans – Risks and blind spots are addressed early, making execution smoother.
- Higher morale – Team members feel heard and respected, which strengthens company culture.
T L ; D R — Inclusive planning isn’t just about fairness—it’s about better results. The best solutions come from teams that actively seek and integrate diverse perspectives. Want stronger strategies, smarter decisions, and more engaged teams? Invite more voices to the table.
