What do you do when one innovation style is in short supply in your organization?

Having a cognitively diverse team is instrumental to organizational development and success, which means including individuals with different innovation styles. 

The Impact of Innovation Styles on Organizational Effectiveness

A large global engineering company that served the airline and aerospace industries had big dreams of growth and expansion, but they were facing a significant roadblock. Despite their best efforts, they were struggling to develop new products and enter new markets. Our Basadur team was called in to help the company tackle this challenge through a training program designed to build problem-solving skills and create a more innovative culture.

As with all of our workshops, every person was required to take the Basadur Profile.  Upon completion, it was evident (and a surprise to many across nearly all the teams) that the majority of their employees, especially managers and professionals, had a strong inclination towards optimization and implementation. While these styles offer essential analytical skills, there was one glaring weakness; there were some conceptualizers but almost no generators. The imaginative skills so necessary for growth and expansion into new products and markets were severely lacking.

Generators are individuals with a knack for coming up with new ideas and concepts. Unfortunately, the company had a culture that heavily favored quick fixes and analysis, leaving little room for individuals who preferred the generation stage of the innovation process.

Realizing the need for change, the company took action. They developed an extensive training program to enhance their employees’ awareness and skills in generation and conceptualization. Additionally, they created a corporate program that incentivized all business units to propose new projects for developing innovative products and tapping into new markets.

With a critical shortage of generators, implementing a training program aimed at developing awareness and skills in generation and conceptualization was instrumental in transforming this organization’s culture. By understanding that innovation is a process, they were able to shift from a predominantly implementation-oriented mindset to one that better valued continuous improvement and rewarded the exploration of new ideas. 

For this engineering company, it was the introduction of an extensive creative problem solving training program along with significant financial incentives for proposing new projects that helped to transform their culture.  They created an environment that encourages and supports the generation of new products and enthusiasm and energy to enter into new markets. The program was a huge success. This transformation serves as a testament to the power of understanding cognitive diversity, then investing in the right training to cultivate a more innovative culture.

Key Takeaways: (Why Measure the cognitive diversity of your team?)

• Identify the reasons you seek a transformation in your team or organization’s culture – what’s the business need?
• Highlight the challenges you face and the need for a training program
• Design a customized training program to meet your culture goals
• Assess the innovation style of each individual involved or the ones that should be involved, in the transformation
• Develop strategies that will maximize participation and engagement from your people
• Foster innovation with a balance or an understanding that diverse styles or tools are needed to help generate new, out-of-the-box thinking
• Nurture innovation by rewarding new ideas and initiatives that emerge
• Ensure long-term sustainability and ongoing training initiatives – quick hits are gratifying but slow and steady wins the race.

“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. 

Why cognitive diversity is so valuable in the workplace.

In its simplest form, diversity means variety; variety is evaluated based on differences. Currently, there is a lot of emphasis on the importance of diversity, especially in the workplace. While diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity, and age has long been seen as a driver of creativity and productivity, to date there is no research that has found a correlation between these factors and team performance. Instead, diversity in how we think, which is referred to as “cognitive diversity”, does seem to be a more significant predictor of successful team performance.

The value of cognitive diversity

Cognitive diversity refers to differences in perspective and information processing styles. Based on a tool called the AEM cube, developed by Peter Robertson, which measures individuals’ approaches to change and problem-solving it has been discovered that there is a significant correlation between high cognitive diversity and high performance.

Surprisingly, cognitive diversity is often overlooked because it is less visible than demographic diversity. It cannot be easily detected from the outside and must be actively surfaced and harnessed within teams. There are also cultural barriers that restrict cognitive diversity within organizations. Functional bias, where colleagues gravitate towards those who think similarly, leads to like-minded teams and a limited ability to see things differently or create new options. To overcome this, it is crucial to recruit for cognitive diversity and seek out dissenting opinions when faced with new, uncertain, and complex situations.

People think differently, and people create differently. So the question now becomes, what are some benefits of considering cognitive diversity when looking to hire staff? Create teams? Determine your Board of Directors? Innovate?

Benefits of cognitive diversity

• Enhance problem-solving abilities

When teams consist of individuals with different perspectives and information processing styles, they are able to approach challenges from various angles, leading to a wider range of potential solutions. This diversity allows for a more comprehensive analysis of problems and the ability to identify unique strategies and opportunities. By incorporating a multitude of viewpoints, teams are able to overcome cognitive biases and think outside the box, resulting in faster and more effective problem-solving. 

• Encourage innovation and creativity

Encouraging innovation and creativity is one of the key benefits of cognitive diversity. When individuals with different perspectives, knowledge-processing styles, and approaches to change come together, they bring a wide range of ideas, insights, and solutions to the table. This diversity of thought sparks new ways of thinking and problem-solving, leading to innovative and creative solutions.

• Foster collaboration and teamwork

When different cognitive preferences and perspectives come together, there’s a wider range of ideas that can help break down barriers and encourage open communication and understanding. By collaborating and working together, teams can tap into the collective intelligence and problem-solving abilities of their members, leading to more effective and innovative solutions. Cognitive diversity fosters a culture of cooperation and mutual respect, where team members value and leverage each other’s unique strengths and perspectives.

• Enhance the decision-making process

Different perspectives and thinking styles can open up the possibility for a wider range of ideas and solutions to be considered. This diversity allows for a more thorough analysis of problems and possibilities, as different viewpoints can identify potential risks and opportunities that may have been overlooked. Cognitive diversity can also help minimize groupthink and bias, as individuals with different cognitive preferences can challenge assumptions and provide alternative viewpoints. Ultimately, this leads to more effective and well-rounded decision-making processes.

• Improve communication and understanding

Cognitive diversity encourages more open and effective communication, as individuals are exposed to different ways of thinking and processing information. With improved communication, team members can better understand and appreciate different viewpoints, leading to more productive and inclusive discussions. This not only enhances problem-solving abilities but also promotes a deeper level of understanding and empathy within the team, ultimately leading to better overall performance.

Cognitive diversity is invaluable to innovation

Implementing cognitive diversity strategies is crucial for organizations to harness the hidden benefits of diverse thinking in the workplace. Leaders can start by incorporating cognitive diversity in their recruitment processes, actively seeking out individuals with different perspectives and approaches. In addition, creating a safe and inclusive environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their unique thoughts and ideas is essential. Moreover, leaders should challenge the status quo and encourage dissenting opinions to foster innovative problem-solving. By implementing these strategies, organizations can unlock the full potential of cognitive diversity, leading to improved decision-making, enhanced collaboration, and greater innovation.

With all of these benefits to cognitive diversity, the following questions come to mind: is there a preferred way of thinking that is more important than another to power team performance?  Does it matter how people prefer to think?  Can we identify and measure how people prefer to think, and problem-solve? From 40 years of experience measuring, understanding, and encouraging diverse thinking styles, we’ve seen firsthand how organizations have instilled an innovative mindset in every person to build better teams.  

“You’re an innovator, you just don’t know it yet!”  In our next blog, we will share how  The Basadur Profile not only offers a way to measure cognitive diversity but also is part of a repeatable process that guarantees innovative results.

Decision-making is challenging. Businesses can succeed or fail based on one good or poorly processed decision. There are endless “what-ifs?” and possible solutions to consider and there is never a guarantee that one option is better than another. Inevitably, decisions must be made in order for any business to evolve.

Utilizing a decision-making technique can help process ideas and solutions. One tool that we use is a paired comparison analysis (PCA), also known as Pairwise Comparison, to help take the guesswork out of decision-making. It forces individuals to blend criteria and ideas together allowing for a head-to-head comparison of all the options presented in order to collectively determine what will work best.

PCA requires each option to be paired up in order to determine which is preferred or takes precedence. In using this technique, individual judgment is reduced and more effective solutions result. Employees or coworkers often have different ideas about which criteria are most important, the PCA allows for divergent thinking where different values and knowledge are shared and considered. In this process, the goal is for team members to listen more open-mindedly, reducing bias from personal opinions.  Selecting the final list of criteria you use to pick between two good ideas is a very creative exercise, which appears at odds with the concept of evaluation and selection.  

We had a client who needed help picking between two viable options on where best to manufacture and assemble a key product in a new emerging market. The market they were entering required the product to be assembled locally to qualify for government subsidies.  We spent two days with a team of engineers and marketing experts to identify and agree on what were the best criteria we should use to do a proper paired comparison analysis. These criteria ranged from local customer needs, logistics to get the parts exported, and typical cost and feasibility factors. It took nearly a full day to diverge, discuss and make a decision on a final list of criteria. Once we had the final list of criteria, we were able to compare the two options as a group and make a good decision that everyone agreed with. This session broke an almost two-year log jam and finally got the product to market.

Within any business, when executed effectively, group-decision making can render the most invaluable process for determining innovative concepts and solutions. Whether it’s bringing a product or service to the market, transforming what exists, or evolving as a business, a Paired Comparison Analysis can be instrumental in determining the value of each decision.

Are you interested in learning beneficial decision-making techniques for your business? Visit www.basadur.com. Remember, everyone is an innovator, you just don’t know it yet.

Creativity and innovation thrive through collaboration. This can be difficult for some business owners to embrace, especially entrepreneurs, who may be hesitant to trust others not knowing their intentions. But information-sharing is instrumental in finding and solving problems, it can provide necessary facts and points of view about the market and industry. A great idea for a new product or service with no market will not become a successful business.

Ideas + Accurate Fact Finding = Innovative Growth

Many entrepreneurs avoid asking questions or volunteering information for fear of having their ideas stolen or shared publicly. This type of mindset can actually breed mistrust causing others to offer misleading or inaccurate data. The consequences of misdirected fact-finding can lead to erroneous problem definition later. People may only be telling you what you want to hear, which can be detrimental to the development of a new idea or business. 

Some industries are warranted in the secrecy of their ideas. Defense contractors, major corporations with extensive R and D labs, and biotechnology companies build intellectual property fences to shield their ideas. 

For most businesses, ensuring authenticity by honestly sharing ideas and information, and giving your trust is the most effective way of earning trust in return. This requires taking a risk and openly communicating your own thoughts even though they may not be ready. Developing a product or service based on accurate information and supported facts will almost certainly lead to further growth and opportunities.

Here are three reasons why entrepreneurs should be more open to sharing their ideas:

1. 1. New and possibly better opportunities may evolve when additional facts are gathered from collaborative sessions. For example, talking to customers can be the difference between success and failure. These conversations can lead to pivots and possible “I hadn’t thought of that” moments.
   2. Large companies already have immense resources and networks they can draw from in order to gather the facts and viewpoints they need. Many hire outside market research companies to provide a customer perspective.  Internally, great “ahas” can arise from classic water cooler conversations. 

• Individuals that guard their ideas in overprotective ways risk coming across to others as Gollum from Lord of the Rings, “My Precious!” When this happens, no one wants to help as the person comes across as untrusting and greedy.

Do not limit yourself because you are scared or unwilling to open up and share ideas. Ideas are a dime a dozen if they don’t ever get implemented.  For a new idea to develop into a new innovation, you must follow a process. Doing good fact-finding is crucial so that no stone is left unturned and overlooked. In fact, reaching out to your customers, an angel network, or other businesses to get their feedback and be ready to answer more questions is vital. Keeping your idea to yourself and jumping straight into implementation is a recipe for failure.  

Successful entrepreneurs trust their instincts and those close to them.  They are willing to take risks, understand their market, and follow a process that helps them successfully advance and implement their ideas.  Most importantly, they know that collaboration is the key ingredient. 

To learn more about how to share ideas so innovation can thrive, visit www.basadur.com. Remember, everyone is an innovator, you just don’t know it yet.

Listen, Be Open-Minded, Avoid Judgment

Business ideas are often shot down due to a perceived notion that there’s a lack of imagination. Just as it takes an open mind to develop new ideas, it takes an open mind to effectively evaluate the objectives and opportunities that could evolve. Instead of limiting possibilities, utilize a process that is logical and non-judgmental to uncover a solution that is tailored to your business needs.

Evaluating ideas can be easy or relatively complex, depending on the task and final goal. It is essential to understand the problem first in order to find the right solution. For example, when buying a new car you typically don’t just think about what color you want. There are many criteria to consider such as size, make, model, and features needed versus wanted. Taking the time to acknowledge all options allows a greater possibility for creative, yet calculated decision-making.

Once idea generation is complete, there are five factors that can be used to filter in the first part of the evaluation process. Here are just 5 criteria that can be used to evaluate one idea from another:

1. Impact on loyalty
2. Feasibility
3. Speed of implementation
4. Competitive advantage/can’t be replicated easily
5. Financial impact (Cost of resources and quarterly reporting)

What is creativity and what makes it a vital part of the change-making process?

Depending on who is talking, the definition of creativity can change. Some say creativity is independence, the ability to do things you’d like to do. Others believe that creativity is a unique state of mind, the ability to see things differently than others.

Creativity can also be viewed as an individual with a chameleon-like ability to change in a changing environment. Another perspective is that creativity can be likened to the secret of a cockroach’s staying power over millions of years; being adaptive and being able to endure over time.

There are some people who believe that nothing is new, creativity is therefore the ability to rearrange existing variables into new combinations. Others believe the complete opposite, that creativity is in fact creating or making something that has never existed before. It can also be seen as something that is inexplicable, like a bolt of lightning that seemingly comes out of nowhere.

Yet others believe that creativity is merely a result of painstakingly hard work, like the trial and error endured by the Wright Brothers in creating the first airplane. As Thomas Edison once said, “Creativity is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration.”

However you choose to define creativity, the good news is that all of us are creative.

Defining creativity

Creativity is an inborn human characteristic that can be nourished, cultivated, and raised to extraordinary outcomes in almost anything that is attempted. Though it cannot be seen, creativity is as much a part of anyone as any other part of the body. What matters the most, is not how it is defined but rather how it is used.