Cognitive diversity
What am I missing? Different perspectives.. surely not!
Cognitive diversity is the inclusion of people who have different ways of thinking, viewpoints & skill sets in a team or group-Forbes 2018. Every single one of us is UNIQUE. We have individual strengths, values & life experience which contribute to how we see..everything. Our perspective.
I see every perspective as an opportunity to learn. I am not saying individual perspectives are right or wrong. The opportunity in sharing diverse perspectives is to see a broader range of possibilities.
So how do we UNLEASH this opportunity ? In my view we need to:
- Get attracted to diversity & engage a diverse group of people (this is not a check-box exercise);
- Create safe & inclusive environments for deep discussions;
- Offer what we think & feel to others clearly;
- Listen with curiosity.
It is about creating a culture where meaningful discussions are more important than being right. I believe the organisations which lean into cognitive diversity are fighting for equality & will create sustainable solutions for the future…
If we do this then just maybe the ’s of diversity, inclusion & equality can die out with our generation. To me, that would be AMAZING! What do you think?
