Difference Makers by Nicky Howe and Alicia Curtis Summary

Difference Makers is a leadership guide focused on redefining diversity as a strategic asset for organizational success. It emphasizes diversity of thought, experiential attributes, and collaborative problem-solving to build inclusive boards and effective teams. The book provides actionable strategies for leaders to leverage differences in age, ideology, profession, and background to spark innovation and governance excellence.

Aspiring and experienced board members, CEOs, HR professionals, and social entrepreneurs seeking to foster inclusive leadership. It’s also valuable for advocates of workplace diversity and readers interested in governance reform, particularly in sectors like aged care, nonprofits, and corporate boards.

Yes—it combines research-backed frameworks, case studies, and practical tools like checklists for recruiting diverse directors. Endorsed by leaders like Rhys Williams and David Koutsoukis, it’s praised as a roadmap for creating “better organizations and a better society” through intentional collaboration.

• Redefining diversity: Focus on cognitive differences (experiences, beliefs, skills) over visible traits.
• Collaborative advantage: Diverse teams solve problems 60% faster than homogenous groups.
• Inclusive recruitment: Strategies to avoid tokenism and prioritize varied perspectives in governance.

A leader who actively champions underrepresented voices on boards, turning demographic, experiential, and ideological differences into drivers of innovation. Examples include young directors reshaping aged-care policies and professionals bridging cultural gaps in community organizations.

The “Three Diversity Attributes”:

1. Demographic (age, gender, ethnicity).
2. Experiential (career path, education, sector expertise).
3. Personal (values, problem-solving style, risk tolerance).

The book argues balancing these layers creates resilient decision-making.

Yes. It tackles resistance to change, unconscious bias in director recruitment, and short-termism in governance. Solutions include term limits for board members and structured mentorship programs to onboard diverse talent.

• “Diversity is not a problem to solve but a resource to harness.” – Nicky Howe.
• “Boards that mirror their communities make decisions that last.” – Alicia Curtis.
• “Difference makers don’t fit in—they stand out by design.” – Rabia Siddique.

While Lean In focuses on individual women’s career strategies, Difference Makers offers systemic solutions for organizational change, particularly in board governance. It emphasizes collective action over individual empowerment.

With remote work and AI reshaping team dynamics, its strategies for virtual collaboration and leveraging neurodiverse talent align with modern challenges. The book’s case studies on cross-generational leadership also resonate with today’s multigenerational workforce.

Some reviewers note it targets board-level audiences, which may limit accessibility for junior professionals. However, its actionable exercises (e.g., “Diversity Audit Template”) make concepts applicable across organizational tiers.

Yes. The authors’ “Engaging Young Leaders on Boards” program offers workshops, and their free “Board Competency Matrix” tool helps assess director capabilities—both detailed at Alyceum.com.au.