In the fast paced and dynamic world of business, team development is crucial for success. Teams who are able to work together effectively and in harmony are able to achieve greater success, however, the road to building a high-performing team can be complex. One powerful strategy for enhancing team performance is to harness the power of cognitive diversity.
Shown to enhance innovation within teams by around 20%, cognitive diversity refers to the different ways that individuals perceive, think and process information and when understood fully can be key to creating stronger, more innovative and cohesive teams.
The power of Cognitive Diversity:
1. Enhanced Problem solving in teams
When presented with complex problems, teams with higher levels of cognitive diversity are more likely to generate a greater number of solutions and more unique solutions, leading to greater levels of innovation and faster problem solving.
2. Improved Collaborative Decision-Making
Increasing levels of cognitive diversity within your team can increase the team’s ability to challenge assumptions and critically evaluate options. This leads to more balanced and informed decisions being made and reduces the risk of groupthink by up to 30%.
Cognitively diverse teams also are more likely to spot risks!
3. Increased Agility
Teams which embrace cognitive diversity are better equipped to adapt to change. Having a range of cognitive styles present throughout the group can help teams to better navigate unexpected challenges and recognise new opportunities. This creates a culture of flexibility and resilience allowing members to quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
4. Promote Inclusivity
Cognitive Diversity has no correlation with demographic diversity, meaning that a team comprised of people of varying age, gender, ethnicity and social background are no more likely to display high levels of cognitive diversity than a group of individuals with similar demographic profiles. Embracing cognitive diversity acknowledges the complexity of individual’s intersectional identities and is an additional way to unlock the unique strengths of every team member and create a well-balanced team.
Using Cognitive Diversity in teams
The first step in harnessing the power of Cognitive Diversity is to assess and understand the cognitive styles of individual team members. With an understanding of their personal styles and cognitive versatility (an individual’s ability to access different styles) we can then analyse the range of cognitive styles present within the group and support the team to understand both their own preferences and each other’s natural styles.
With this understanding we can support the team to make the most of their cognitive diversity and support them to develop the cognitive styles which are key to their role and purpose, allowing them to tap into a wealth of creativity, innovation and problem-solving abilities. Cognitive diversity might just be the key to supporting your team to thrive and achieve remarkable results.
Using the power of Cognitive Diversity through D4S
Our team of Organisational Psychologists at D4S are thrilled to be diving deeper into the realm of Cognitive Diversity, and we want you to be part of this exciting journey.
Cognitive Diversity is a topic that's incredibly important in today's dynamic business world. It's not just about embracing different perspectives; it's about harnessing the unique strengths each individual brings to the table.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can support your team to explore cognitive diversity further get in touch.