Four things we learned about civil society, free speech, and leadership
Last Wednesday, our 2020-2021 MDLF Fellows met virtually to learn about civil society, free speech, and leadership - interrelated topics that together help us make our Republic strong.
Our spotlight was also on West Lafayette and Purdue. We met with Purdue General Counsel Steve Schultz, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. John Gates, SVP of Entrepreneurship and Place-Making Greg Deason, PRF President Brian Edelman, and PRF’s AVP for Real Estate and Facilities Jeremy Slater. After the presentations, we summarized what we learned. Here are our four key takeaways:
We should default to preparing people to confront difficult ideas, rather than try to protect them from them. It’s more effective to overcome ideas you disagree with by using superior arguments. Plus, bad ideas give you a chance to reaffirm what you believe to be true (and critically analyze your own positions).
A new urbanism approach to placemaking can create a magnet for new talent. Jeremy showed us some of the awesome new development at Purdue, and the collaboration between the university, businesses, and residents was very impressive.
People have all sorts of characteristics that make them diverse. But they don’t come to your company just to exemplify diversity - they come to be excellent.
“You know you have a strategy when you can say no to an otherwise good idea.” Consider what you have to give up when you say yes to something and when you decline it. And consider the benefits of focus.
Our next meeting will be in January, on the topic of business and entrepreneurship in Indiana.