Are you staffed with too many "yes" people? On this episode of the Leadership Hustle, Andrea and Michelle explore how having too many team members who are willing to agree with whatever is said can lead to groupthink and lack of creative problem-solving. Join them as they share their strategies for encouraging healthy debate, gaining insights from diverse points of view, and ultimately strengthening your organization!

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE

Read the full transcript.

Expand Your Leadership Skills.

The Benefits of Diverse Teams for Problem Solving and Productivity

What are the benefits of diverse teams? Is it really necessary to have different ways of thinking in an organization? Or is it easier to have like-minded individuals as part of our team? In this Leadership Hustle podcast episode, Andrea Fredrickson and Michelle Hill answer all these questions and dive into the different ways a diverse team can change your organization for the better.

The Problem with Like-Minded Teams

Have you ever found yourself part of a team where everyone is in sync, sharing the same ideas, and always agreeing on everything?

At first glance, it might seem like an ideal working environment, but upon closer inspection, you'll realize that this could actually be a huge problem. When your team lacks diversity and fosters no room for differing viewpoints, organizations tend to get stuck in the same procedures, protocols, and ideas without innovation.

The Cultural Fit

As leaders and entrepreneurs, we are often involved in the hiring process. The common misconception is that hiring people who share the same opinions and agree with us will create a harmonious and effective team.

And why wouldn't we think this way? We want to work with people who share our ideas and opinions to make interaction easier. This phenomenon is often referred to as "culture fit," where we hire individuals who think like us, believing this will lead to a more cohesive team. However, this approach is fundamentally flawed.

The Benefits of Diverse Teams

Contrary to the comfort found in a like-minded team, diversity brings a wealth of ideas, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches that can transform your organization.

Innovation and Creativity

Each individual on a diverse team brings unique experiences and viewpoints to the table. This variety often results in innovative solutions that may not have been considered in a homogenous group.

Different ways of thinking lead to creativity and innovation, which are essential for any organization in today's fast-paced and competitive business environment.

Diverse teams Have Better Decision-Making Abilities

Research has shown that diverse teams make better decisions. The varied perspectives within a diverse team allow for a broader range of solutions and reduce the risk of overlooking important factors.

Diverse Teams Increase Productivity.

Diverse teams tend to be more productive. Varied skill sets and perspectives can lead to more efficient problem solving, as different team members bring forward unique solutions. This leads to faster decision-making, saving time, and increasing productivity.

Improved Employee Engagement

Employees in diverse teams often report higher levels of engagement. They feel valued for their unique contributions, leading to higher job satisfaction and morale. This can result in lower turnover rates, saving the company money in recruitment and training costs.

Embrace Diverse Teams Debate

Rather than fostering a culture of "yes-men," cultivate an environment that invites debate and encourages different perspectives. Don't get too attached to a single idea. Instead, ask your team for diverse opinions and let the debates happen. These debates often result in better solutions than the original idea, faster processes, and team-building opportunities.

Promoting Feedback

So, how exactly do you promote diversity of ideas within your team? Start by being an active listener. Pay attention to feedback – what are people saying about how you handle these ideas? How can you improve your listening skills to serve your team better? Foster a culture that encourages questions. Ask your team, "What do you think?" Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their ideas rather than one where people simply follow authority.

Your Body Language Speaks Loud

Body language plays a critical role in building a safe environment for your diverse team, as it often speaks louder than words. As a leader, your body language needs to convey openness and receptivity to different ideas and opinions. This can be achieved through maintaining eye contact when someone is speaking, which shows that you are actively listening and value their input.

Leaning slightly forward can signal interest and engagement. Open postures, such as uncrossed arms and legs, also indicate that you're receptive and approachable. Gestures like nodding show affirmation and understanding, encouraging others to express their views.

Building a Diverse Team

Lastly, remember that building a diverse team isn't just about hiring different people with different backgrounds and experiences; it's about promoting an environment where people can speak their minds. An environment where everyone feels heard and valued, regardless of their viewpoints, is essential to grow these types of teams and to scale your organization.

In conclusion, team diversity extends beyond problem-solving and productivity. A diverse team fosters innovation, encourages growth, and leads to more robust solutions. So why wait? Start building your diverse team today! Contact Revela today to start scaling your business.

About the Hosts

Andrea Fredrickson

Andrea Fredrickson is a thought leader and consultant at Revela, an organization based in Omaha, Nebraska specializing in the development of leaders, culture alignment, and business strategy for private and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness. Andrea has built an amazing team by believing that fundamentally people want to be successful and become better versions of themselves.  

Michelle Hill

Michelle Hill is a master facilitator and coach at Revela, an organization specializing in the development of leaders and aligning the culture of privately held and family businesses of all sizes. Revela is one of the region's most experienced thought challengers, helping individuals and companies find their greatness. 

TRANSCRIPT

Hello and welcome to the Leadership Hustle. For executives whose companies are growing fast and need leaders who are ready. We all know people who never admit that they're wrong or rarely admit that they're wrong and maybe rarely ever admit the fact that they don't know something. Sometimes we realize that we hang out with people who are like ourselves. We have similar interests, we have similar hobbies and things like that. But have you ever thought about, in a business world, creating a team where people have similar interests and have similar perspectives is really a problem?