Columbus Day marks the annual remembrance of Christopher Columbus’s voyage to open east-west trade routes. As the day is observed, the diversity behind the voyage’s success is often overlooked.
Arranging for the voyage was a long process for Columbus as he tried to find funding in Portugal, Italy, and Spain. The journey was planned by a committee in Lisbon, Portugal. Led by Joseph Diego Mendes Vezinho, a Jewish scientist that later converted to Christianity, a nautical plan was developed using newly created star charts and maps developed by Muslim navigators.
The diversity continued when it was time to fund the trip. Columbus sought finances from several sources eventually finding success with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. They did not agree to fund the trip until Luis de Santangel developed a successful plan. King Ferdinand had ordered all Jews and Muslims convert to Catholicism or leave Spanish soil. Santangel, a Jew, converted under this decree. He compiled the funds using an endowment, uncollected penalties owed by the City of Palos, and his own personal funds. The monarchy agreed as it involved little of their personal money.
With the plan, maps, and funds in hand, Columbus still needed a hand with the navigation. The most expert of all navigators at the time were the Muslim people. Ibn Battutah had invented the sextant in the prior century, which had proved to be extremely successful in all forms of navigation. Its use by the Muslim navigators gave Columbus the tool and knowledge of its use to stay on course for his journey.
The synergy of cultures and people that made the initial trade journey to North America possible is a viable force today that opens doors to success of equal impact to Columbus’s historical trip. As nations and religions came together then, nations and religions are coming together today to provide successes in healthcare, industry, technology, and many other vital areas.
This example of diversity leading to discovery of the new world is an important aspect of success in today’s business world. MBC Global (mbcglobal.org), an organization that provides cultural information and education based near Detroit, has worked with many companies to assist them in capitalizing on the diversity of their workforce.
To fully capitalize on the advantages available only through true diversity, every company and organization should consider diversity training. If you already provide diversity training to your employees, make sure the focus is correct. Many companies do not realize the diversity of talent, experience, and perspectives of their employees. Diversity training over the last two decades has focused on tolerating others. When the focus is shifted from toleration to embracing and appreciating differences, the synergy we see in the example of the Columbus journey to North America can occur within any company or organization.
