Think Differently: 3 Ways to Build Cognitive Diversity in the Workplace

Caskie Lewis-Clapper, Chief Human Resources Officer at Magellan Health, writes how there is one key element hat can be overlooked as companies seek to become more diverse - that is, cognitive diversity.

Lewis-Clapper describes cognitive diversity as the differences in how people think and process information.

He shares that two researchers have discovered that teams reflect cognitive diversity solve complex problems faster than teams composed of individuals who approach problem-solving in the same way. The findings held true irrespective of differences in gender, age or ethnicity.

Lewis-Clapper points out that promoting greater cognitive diversity in teams can be challenging. What has worked in the past may not be what will work in the present the future, he adds.

Lewis-Clapper recommends a few ways companies can effectively promote cognitive diversity: 1) Recruit for Cognitive Diversity; 2) Break the Mold for Partnership; 3) Create Space to Innovate; and 4) Renewed Approach to Breakthrough Performance.

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Co-founders William Mann and David Mravyan devised the Sensimat during a mandatory project for their MBA at the Richard Ivey School of Business in Canada. Sensimat is a device that helps manage and assess pressure among wheelchair users.