Identities, Assets, And Styles Analysis

Identities, Assets, and Styles of Sara Lyons
Sara Lyons Diversity in project teams is important when trying to find solutions to a variety of problems. When all group members have similar backgrounds, and think similarly, it is no surprise that many times, those groups do not come up with solutions to an assortment of problems. In any team, it is a requirement that, the whole group has the ability to produce unique solutions and work together toward a common goal. Cognitive and Identity diversity both benefit teams especially when the teams are looking for a number of ways to solve problems. Cognitive diversity is the differences in the way people think about problems, or the different ways people look at the world (Folk-Williams 2010). Each

For example, when thinking of travel; to most people boats are moving and islands are stationary, but to Micronesian sailors the opposite is true (Bang, Lee, Medin 2015). The island is moving toward the stationary boat (Bang, Lee, Medin 2015). Two different ways of thinking about a concept that seems so simple to both sides. Micronesians and other people both know something is moving, but their solution to the problem are two different thought processes. This also ties into identity diversity; which refers to cultural, ethnic, or gender diversity (Folk-Williams 2010). The way people are raised shapes the way they think. This means a person’s past experiences and upbringings have shaped the way that they see the world and solve problems. This is especially true for the scientific study of primates (Bang, Lee, Medin 2015). Men who originally did the studies focused solely on the male dominance aspect of mating, but when female scientists entered the field and began their own studies they found different results (Bang, Lee, Medin 2015). Female scientists found female primates were not passive in the mating process and they found that females may have sex with many

Preference diversity, or a group of people with diverse interests and values, will not necessarily have positive outcomes (Folk-Williams 2010). Groups that are trying to collaborate that don’t share the same goals or interest many times argue and have trouble completing the goal of the project. Communication is a key to overcoming this conflict if possible. Explicitly stating what each group member wants, and their issues with how the project is going will help the group in the long run. The other key part of communication, though, is listening. Hearing what other group members have to say and trying to see the problem from their perspective can help to solve many problems in the groups dynamic. The more a group communicates, the more likely it will have the ability to manage and overcome challenges they are faced