Part 3/7:
Taking examples from history, the discussion references the challenges faced by agencies like the CIA in the mid-20th century, which largely consisted of homogenous groups. Their inability to anticipate varied threats is attributed to a narrow social understanding. Thus, while demographic diversity is an element of cognitive diversity, it is not sufficient on its own.
The Dangers of Box-Ticking
The conversation highlights the pitfalls of “box-ticking,” wherein organizations feel pressured to fulfill demographic quotas without genuinely considering the larger goal of building effective teams. This practice can undermine the contributions of genuinely talented individuals by reducing them to mere categories, thereby diluting their value based on their qualifications and insights.