Some jobs require employees to be highly specialized in one innovative style.

Air traffic controllers – aren’t we glad? Air traffic control is a very fast-paced, exacting profession.  Straying from what is protocol could result in drastic consequences. We don’t want these people to be learning and devising new ways to land a plane while the planes are landing, so it’s good to see that they are implementation-oriented. 

This scatter diagram provides a clear example of people being drawn to jobs that allow them to satisfy their problem solving preferences. Air traffic controllers enjoy – and are intrinsically motivated by hands-on, action-focused tasks. While that makes them successful at their jobs, they can become better problem-solvers when they are trained in the innovation process. 

But even with training, our research has found that it can be challenging to move highly specialized people out of their preferred styles. Extrinsic motivations, such as incentives, may be necessary to make it attractive to them to consistently complete the entire problem solving cycle.

Our research shows that people tend to be drawn to jobs that satisfy their innovation style preference: Generator, Conceptualizer, Optimizer, and Implementer. Each style has unique strengths and preferences in approaching problems. However, to become better problem-solvers, it’s crucial for individuals in such roles to be trained in the problem-solving process – even air traffic controllers.

“You’re an innovator, you just don’t know it yet!” Learn more about the Basadur Profile and how it measures cognitive diversity to support your team in achieving innovative results.