The Power of Cognitive Diversity for Our Military

By: Amy Saxton

Introduction

What is Cognitive Diversity?

Cognitive Diversity Promotes Greater Organizational Performance

Despite the common saying “great minds think alike,” research shows that diverse teams tend to outperform homogenous ones.

Application for Junior Officers

Junior officers have unique opportunities to engage individuals within their formations and get to know them on a personal level. Through regular touchpoints, leaders can learn how their subordinates think and process information. As the research shows, teams that leverage innovation and creativity tend to perform better than those that do not. Even so, leading diverse teams can be difficult. Encouraging different viewpoints should not be allowed to detract from group compliance once a decision has been made and it is time to execute. Junior leaders can promote cognitive diversity within their teams to maximize mission success through the following actions:

Lead with the end state in mind, without thinking about who gets the credit. As a leader, being receptive to creative ideas and letting people question assumptions can promote an inclusive environment and generate better results.

Establish a common purpose. Leaders are responsible for establishing and communicating clear expectations and intent to set the direction for their teams.

With a common purpose, individuals feel empowered to think about the problem at hand without getting too far out of scope. An inclusive environment should encourage subordinate leaders and teammates to ask questions and clarify any confusion so that there is shared understanding. Leaders should also seek to identify and resolve conflicts that may stem from differences in how people view a problem.

Reward innovative and creative thinking. To create an inclusive culture, it is important to give credit where credit is due.

Leaders should demonstrate appreciation for individuals who offer new ways of thinking about a problem, regardless of rank or position. This positive feedback can encourage similar behavior in the future and show the team that innovative thinking is productive and valued. There are a variety of ways that junior leaders can provide appropriate feedback to help develop their subordinates and recognize accomplishments.

Conclusion

Prioritizing cognitive diversity throughout the ranks is a step in the right direction to build smarter, more effective teams. As the U.S. military trains for and executes diverse mission requirements, it is more important than ever to leverage talent and continue to attract highly qualified men and women for service. Junior leaders should promote inclusive environments within their teams to encourage critical thinking and innovative ideas in support of common objectives. The strength of our military comes from its people and the various experiences that they bring to the fight. Every Soldier who chooses to serve has a unique story; perhaps the best thing we can do as leaders is to give each a voice.

Amy Saxton is an active-duty Army Captain currently serving as the Commander for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Army Geospatial-Intelligence Battalion. She is a 2021 Leadership Fellow at the Army’s Center for Junior Officers. The views expressed in this article are her own and do not reflect those of the Department of Defense, United States Army, or the United States Military Academy.

REFERENCES

NOTES

[vi] Ibid.

[viii] Joyce Ehrlinger, W.O. Readinger, and Bora Kim, “Decision-Making and Cognitive Biases,” Encyclopedia of Mental Health, doi 10.1016/B978–0–12–397045–9.00206–8.

[x] Ibid.

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