Using Diversity to Drive Innovation: Kristian Ribberstrom at TEDxSpringfield

Kristian Ribberstrom, Chief of Intersectional Design and Master Facilitator for the Medici Group, has worked with innovation for companies and organizations globally. Before that he has 10 years of experience in education, curriculum development and facilitation.

In this TEDx talk, Kristian encourages us to move the diversity discourse beyond "doing the right thing" and quotas. In practice, diversity drives innovation. We have the greatest chance for truly groundbreaking innovation when we tear down silos, cross boundaries and purposefully learn from the unfamiliar, unknown and unexpected.

TEDxSpringfield's inaugural event held on October 18, 2013 focused on the theme "Driving Innovation Through Diversity and Inclusion." We are a group of passionate volunteers that believe Springfield and surrounding areas are full of Ideas Worth Spreading. Springfield is the "City of Firsts" -- the first basketball game, the first motorcycle, the first "Springfield". This event focused on how to use our diversity to bring back the innovation.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)