Joshua Chefec Highlights Diverse Thinking as Key to Better Decision-Making in Texas Business

Joshua Chefec, a former Commercial Banking Executive at J.P. Morgan and current Commercial Banking Leader at KeyBank in New York, is advocating for the power of diverse thinking in decision-making, a concept that resonates strongly with Texas businesses aiming for economic growth. Drawing from his experience working with companies across consumer retail, manufacturing, media, and professional services, Chefec argues that actively seeking perspectives different from one's own is a critical but often overlooked skill.

According to Chefec, “When I build a team, I want to ensure that there is diversity of thought. That's how you make better decisions.” This principle is supported by research: Cloverpop reports that inclusive teams make better business decisions up to 87 percent of the time, while McKinsey & Company found that organizations with greater diversity are more likely to outperform financially. Harvard Business Review research further indicates that teams exposed to different viewpoints challenge assumptions and uncover better solutions.

For Texas businesses, these findings underscore the importance of fostering diverse teams. Chefec believes that in a specialized, algorithm-filtered world, many professionals risk limiting growth by staying in echo chambers. “If everyone thinks exactly the same way, you're probably missing something,” he warns. The benefits extend beyond the workplace to personal and career decisions, making diverse thinking a competitive advantage.

Chefec also highlights curiosity as a key trait for future leaders. According to LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report, learning agility and curiosity are among the most sought-after characteristics, and the World Economic Forum identifies critical thinking and active learning as top skills for the future. “You should never feel like you already know everything,” Chefec says. “The people who continue learning are usually the ones who continue growing.”

To develop broader perspectives, Chefec recommends small daily adjustments: reading viewpoints outside one's industry, conversing with people from different backgrounds, asking more questions, and staying open to changing one's mind. “Growth doesn't always come from having the answers,” he notes. “Sometimes it comes from asking better questions.”

The implications for Texas are clear: as industries evolve and information becomes abundant, diverse thinking can drive innovation and better decision-making. Chefec encourages professionals, students, and lifelong learners to intentionally seek one new perspective each week. “Better decisions start with broader perspectives,” he concludes, a message that could help Texas businesses thrive in a competitive landscape.