Episode 19: Reviving our evolutionary superpower: how cognitive diversity fuels innovation
Published on 11 February 2025 • Hosted by Dr Lisa Colledge
Organizations today face unprecedented challenges, requiring adaptability, creativity, and resilience to succeed. Yet many teams fall into the trap of "cognitive fit," where people think and work alike to avoid conflict. While comfortable, this approach undermines the very trait that made humanity successful—our ability to pool different ways of thinking to out-think, rather than out-muscle, our environment.
In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, I explore the groundbreaking research of Helen Taylor and her colleagues on Complimentary Cognition, which offers valuable lessons for organizations striving to innovate and thrive.
Key insights from psychological evolution
1. Why evolution selected a cognitive mix of specialized thinkers, instead of generalists
Evolution stopped making human brains biggger when the costs outweighed the gains—instead, it gave us smarter ways of thinking together. Faced with extreme environmental variability, early humans didn’t survive individually, but thrived by pooling diverse specialized cognitive styles, excelling in exploration, refinement or discernment.
2. The danger of conformity in modern workplaces
While conformity may make teams feel aligned and comfortable, it often leads to stagnation. Teams with cognitive diversity, however, can anticipate change, solve complex problems, and create sustainable success.
3. Building a culture of cognitive inclusion
The research shows that Complimentary Cognition isn’t about reacting to differences but creating systems where different cognitive styles—such as the pattern-recognition skills of someone with dyslexia, or the hyperfocus of someone with ADHD—are intentionally connected. When this happens, the team’s “collective genius” emerges naturally.
Takeaway for leaders
By viewing cognitive diversity as a strategic asset, not a problem to manage, you can build innovative, engaged teams that don’t just survive disruption but thrive in it.
To build truly innovative, resilient teams, you need to keep on taking small, intentional steps to builod on the start you’ve made by reading this blog. In episode 18, I introduced a free program called Neuro-inspired: 12 steps to a future-proof workplace culture. The program offers a balance of learning and action—you’ll find guidance for implementing everything yourself, as well as ways to access support if you want it. There’s no upfront commitment—you can explore the content and see what works best for you and your team.
Remember, humanity didn’t survive by working alone—it thrived by betting on our ability to work together, to leverage different strengths for a common goal. When your team connects and values diverse cognitive styles, it won’t just survive disruption—it will thrive.
Want to read some more about our specialized cognitive styles and how they make teams strong at adapting to change?
The article that Lisa discusses in the podcast: Helen Taylor, Brice Fernandes and Sarah Wraight (2022) The Evolution of Complementary Cognition: Humans Cooperatively Adapt and Evolve through a System of Collective Cognitive Search Cambridge Archaeological Journal 32(1), pp. 61-77.
Read about cognitively diverse teams being better able to solve problems, having stronger resilience to change, and doing better in the long term at innovation: Need to adapt? Secrets of the best team problem solving.
I'm Lisa, and I help leaders create inclusive cultures that embrace all neurostyles. By empowering every team member to contribute at their best, while fostering mental well-being, you will boost innovation, retention, and talent acquisition—leading to enhanced business performance.
Click here to learn more about how my services can transform your team.
