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Diversity and Inclusion Can Enhance Problem-Solving

Diversity and Inclusion Can Enhance Problem Solving

Diversity and Inclusion Can Enhance Problem Solving

Myth: Preference for sameness or teams that think alike can solve problems faster.

Reality: When diverse teams tackle problems, they bring a range of perspectives and solutions. This collaborative approach often leads to more innovative and effective problem-solving and better decision-making.

A heterogeneous group of thinkers are important to untangle and address complex problems, and they help defeat groupthink as well as help teams solve problems better, leading to better and more sustainable outcomes.

Cognitive diversity helps teams solve problems faster

Cognitive diversity helps teams solve problems faster

HBR Video
September 13, 2017

How diverse teams produce better outcomes

How diverse teams produce better outcomes

Sian Beilock
Forbes, April 4, 2019

Piercy, C. W. (2021, August 1). Working in diverse teams. Pressbooks.

Working in diverse teams

Cameron W. Piercy, Ph.D
Problem Solving in Teams and Groups, Pressbooks, August 1, 2021

Hershey H. Friedman, Linda W. Friedman, and Chaya Leverton Psychosociological Issues in Human Resource Management, Vol. 4, Issue 2, April 2016

Increase diversity to boost creativity and problem solving

Hershey H. Friedman, Linda W. Friedman, and Chaya Leverton
Psychosociological Issues in Human Resource Management, Vol. 4, Issue 2, April 2016

Kathleen M. Eisenhardt, Jean L. Kahwajy, and L.J. Bourgeois III. “Decision Making And Problem Solving: How Management Teams Can Have a Good Fight. The absence of conflict is not harmony, it’s apathy,” Harvard Business Review (July-August, 1997)

The absence of conflict is not harmony, it’s apathy

Kathleen M. Eisenhardt, Jean L. Kahwajy, and L.J. Bourgeois III
Harvard Business Review, July-August, 1997

Laurence Favager. “Why diversity of thought is key to solving problems,” Medium (December 14, 2020)

Why diversity of thought is key to solving problems

Laurence Favager
Medium, December 14, 2020

Jileaa Hemmings. “The Importance of Diversity in Problem Solving,” Medium (July 26, 2018)

The Importance of Diversity in Problem Solving

Jileaa Hemmings
Medium, July 26, 2018

David Komlos and David Benjamin. “How Highly Diverse Teams Can Help Untangle Complexity,” Knowledge at Wharton (September 5, 2019)

How Highly Diverse Teams Can Help Untangle Complexity

David Komlos and David Benjamin
Knowledge at Wharton, September 5, 2019

Robert Mitchell. “Leaders Need diverse teams for creative problem solving,” The Harvard Gazette (May 8, 2015)

Leaders Need diverse teams for creative problem solving

Robert Mitchell
The Harvard Gazette, May 8, 2015

Alison Reynolds and David Lewis. “Teams Solve Problems Faster When They’re More Cognitively Diverse,” Harvard Business Review (March 30, 2017)

Teams Solve Problems Faster When They’re Cognitively Diverse

Alison Reynolds and David Lewis
Harvard Business Review, March 30, 2017

Reijula, S., & Kuorikoski, J. “Modeling cognitive diversity in group problem solving.” Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, 44 (2022)

Modeling cognitive diversity in group problem solving

Samuli Reijula and Jaakko Kuorikoski
Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Cognitive Science Society, 44, 2022

Khalil Smith. “How Diversity Defeats Groupthink,” Rotman Management (Fall 2020)

How Diversity Defeats Groupthink

Khalil Smith
Rotman Management, Fall 2020

University of Michigan. Why diversity is the secret to solving complex problems: U-M Professor Scott Page explains why diverse groups consistently outperform teams of like-minded experts,” U-M News (October 31, 2022)

Why diversity is the secret to solving complex problems

University of Michigan
U-M News, October 31, 2022