Diversity? Think twice!

Everyone is talking about diversity. Diversity networks in companies have been around for years, and it is pointed out time and again that mixed teams have a better working atmosphere and make better decisions. What is usually meant is that a team should consist differnt genders, ages, nationalities or disciplines .

Behind this, however, lies a potentially deceptive assumption: namely, that people of different age, genders and nationalities will also bring different input to a discussion. There's certainly a lot of truth to that. But even teams that meet all these obvious and measurable criteria are only truly "diverse" if they actually THINK differently.

All too often - despite all diversity - teams find themselves in the situation of "group think", the fact that everyone thinks in the same direction and follows one - usually the superior. Critics are ignored or smiled at, people interrupt each other and real, controversial and time-consuming discussions are stifled or avoided altogether. Group Think occurs in the most diverse teams.

So... It's better to have a room full of men or women fiercely discussing with each other, where the most diverse views meet, where people argue passionately but purposefully - than a room full of people who are all "different" but where there is no discussion. Innovations and really good solutions only come from arguing, rejecting, listening to each other, questioning and verbally wrestling with each other. And being able to laugh with each other at the end of it all - about the team's diversity.