Do you want to improve your team’s performance? Yes? Then you need to incorporate more cognitive diversity.
What is Cognitive Diversity?
Cognitive diversity can be defined as “differences in perspective or information processing styles”.
Having consulted with several organisations across many industries, I have seen, firsthand, the benefits of tackling business problems from diversified points of view. “A high degree of cognitive diversity could generate accelerated learning and performance in the face of new, uncertain, and complex situations”
5 Benefits of Cognitive Diversity
There are so many benefits of having a cognitively diverse workplace. These are my top 5.
1. Less groupthink (more common than you realise)
Groupthink is a phenomenon where individuals within a group tend to conform to the dominant opinions or thought patterns, often resulting in suboptimal decisions. Mature industry professionals are no strangers to this challenge, as years of experience and industry norms can lead to a shared perspective that stifles innovation. Cognitive diversity introduces fresh viewpoints and alternative perspectives that disrupt the groupthink cycle.
2. Fewer shared biases
Biases can be insidious, lurking in the background and influencing our choices without our awareness. In a mature industry, shared biases can be particularly problematic, as long-standing practices and beliefs become ingrained. Cognitive diversity brings together individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, reducing the likelihood of shared biases.
3. Increasingly objective and unique solutions
Cognitive diversity encourages a broader range of ideas and problem-solving approaches. These unique solutions are often born out of the amalgamation of various insights, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability within your organization. This leads to more objective decision-making, as well as novel strategies for addressing challenges and seizing opportunities.
4. Higher rates of innovation and creativity
The inclusion of cognitive diversity can spark innovation and boost creativity. When teams include individuals with distinct backgrounds, talents, and experiences, they are more likely to develop ground-breaking products, services, and processes. The varied viewpoints and problem-solving approaches that arise from a cognitively diverse team create an environment conducive to innovation, which is essential for staying competitive in mature industries.
5. Decisions that are more representative of your external populace
Staying attuned to the needs and preferences of the external market is crucial. Cognitive diversity in decision-making teams helps ensure that the choices made by your organisation are more representative of the diverse external populace you serve. By having individuals with different backgrounds and perspectives involved in the decision-making process, you are more likely to make choices that resonate with a broader range of customers and stakeholders.
To Conclude
How cognitively diverse are your teams? Do you actively seek the points of view from cognitively different people? If not, you should!
The good news? When you go looking for it, gaining diverse points of view is easier than you think. Don’t believe me? Read about it in the Harvard Business Review.
