In terms of South Africa’s Employment Equity Act, affirmative action includes “making reasonable accommodation for people from designated groups in order to ensure that they enjoy equal opportunities and are equitably represented”. This article’s intention is not to question these processes and the thinking behind them, but it is unfortunate that the legislative context hampers the true meaning of diversity. In this context, diversity is believed to be limited to race and gender, whereas an inclusive workforce means much more.
Diversity can be divided into two types: inherent and acquired. Inherent diversity refers to traits you are born with, such as gender and ethnicity. Acquired diversity focuses on traits you gain from experience. South Africa’s affirmative action plan aims at addressing inherent diversity.
This article will explore two different meanings of diversity in the workplace: Thought diversity and Neurodiversity.
Thought Diversity
We all think differently and there is no one way of thinking that has been agreed upon as correct. What is agreed however, is that the way we think governs the way we work. Research shows that, while we are all capable of thinking in various ways, most people have a preferred way of approaching and solving problems.
An American psychologist Robert Sternberg developed the Triarchic Model of Intelligence which encompasses three different types of intelligence: analytical, creative and practical. When applying this to a team at work solving a problem, the most effective combination is to have at least one person who is logical; at least one person who sees things from a different or unusual perspective; and one who is knowledgeable about the processes involved. Understanding your preferred style and the style of others in the team increases the likelihood of effective problem-solving. Dr Judy Chartrand, went on to describe seven different thinking styles: Analytical, Inquisitive, Insightful, Open-Minded, Systematic, Timely, and Truth-seeking.
The point is that there are various ways of classifying and looking at thinking styles, but there is agreement that thinking styles vary across individuals. According to a study by Deloitte, cultivating “diversity of thought” at your business can boost innovation and creative problem-solving and guard against the phenomenon of GroupThink.
Neurodiversity
Neurodiveristy is a fairly new concept that was developed in the 1990s. Neurodiversity is the diversity of human brains and minds. This concept posits that neurological differences such as as Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyscalculia, Autistic Spectrum and Tourette syndrome are simply a result of normal variations in the human genome.
Neurodiversity in the workplace is gaining attention. It has been suggested that neurodiversity in the workplace provides a competitive advantage. The skills of people who are not ‘neurotypical’ are now being viewed as strengths. For example, people with autism often have enhanced perceptual functioning, high levels of concentration and technical ability; people with Dyslexia often have strong spatial intelligence and entrepreneurial tendencies. People with ADHD are often hyper focused, creative and inventive.
About two years ago, Ernst & Young embarked on a programme to hire individuals with Asperger’s. People with Asperger’s syndrome often have average or above-average levels of intelligence and are often highly educated but may experience significant social difficulties. These 4 new recruits were placed in the Accounting support function and were provided with training that included looking at soft skills, work ethic, expectations and how to communicate. The 4 individuals hired were found to be incredibly detail-orientated and good at process-driven work.
The Danish software company, Specialsterne, has a workforce whereby 75% of their employees have some form of autism. The work required is routine and detailed and plays to their strengths.
The above two examples of diversity cannot be ascertained from a person’s CV alone. This speaks to a need in changing or relooking at recruitment processes that currently only focus on obvious inherent diversity.
Janko A. Kotzé
Organisational Psychologist
M: +27 (0)83 233 7147
E: janko@humaninterest.co.za
About the author
Janko is an Industrial and Organisational (IO) Psychologist and holds a Master’s Degree in IO Psychology at Unisa (Cum Laude). He has extensive consulting experience and has designed and delivered Talent Management solutions to over 30 clients across various industries.
He is the Founder and Director of Human Interest Consulting. A boutique talent management consulting firm that partners with organisations to create high-performing, integrated Talent Ecosystems that allow people to prosper. He is a skilled people strategist and facilitator and likes to embed new strategies through individual and group coaching engagements.
Janko has written numerous articles and is a sought after conference speaker. He has represented South Africa in the 110m hurdles at Youth, Junior and Senior National level and has aided international athletes and sport teams in the art of Mental Excellence.
Janko’s qualifications include a BCom Sport Management, BCom Hons Industrial Psychology, Certificate in Marketing & Customer Centricity (Cum Laude) and an Intensive Coaching Training Accreditation (Cum Laude). He is a member of Coaches and Mentors of South Africa (COMENSA), Society for Industrial and Organisational Psychologists of South Africa (SIOPSA), Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP).
Sources:
Armstrong, T. (2011). The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain. Cambridge, MA: DaCapo Lifelong/Perseus Books
Austin, R.D., & Gary P. Pisano, G.P. (2017). Neurodiversity as a competitive advantage. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2017/05/neurodiversity-as-a-competitive-advantage
Caroselli, M. (2013). Diversity applied to thinking styles. Retrieved from http://www.usaonrace.com/business-biases-building-blocks/4047/diversity-applied-to-thinking-styles.html
Chartrand, J. (2013). How do you think? Retrieved from https://trainingmag.com/content/how-do-you-think
Collinson, L. (2016). Say hello to “Thought Diversity:” Understanding this growing workplace trend. Retrieved from http://www.berkshireassociates.com/balanceview/say-hello-to-thought-diversity-understanding-this-growing-workplace-trend
Comaford, C. (2017). Is Neurodiversity the right talent path for your organization? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinecomaford/2017/06/24/competitive-advantage-why-your-organization-needs-to-embrace-neurodiversity/#3403f6c53f65
Diaz-Uda, A., Medina, C., & Schill, B. (2013). Diversity of thought and the future of the workforce. Deloitte University Press. Retrieved from https://dupress.deloitte.com/dup-us-en/topics/talent/diversitys-new-frontier.html
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Lewis, K.R. (2014). The next frontier in workplace diversity: Brain differences. Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2014/12/16/brain-differences-autism-workplace-diversity/
Republic of South Africa. (2013). Employment Equity Act, No. 47 of 2013. Government Gazette. Pretoria: Government Printer.
Walker, N. (2014). Neurodiversity: Some basic terms & definitions. Retrieved from http://neurocosmopolitanism.com/neurodiversity-some-basic-terms-definitions/
