Question

question 10

michelle joins the build team as a structural engineer with a background in metals.

the civil engineering team has some expertise, but her diverse perspective offers them and the company what strategic advantage?

• colorblindness
• cognitive flexibility
• protected groups
• groupthink

Explanation:

Analyze the scenario and options

Using the Workplace Diversity knowledge point

The scenario describes Michelle, a structural engineer with a background in metals, joining a civil engineering build team. Her unique background provides a diverse perspective to a team that already has some general expertise.

Let's evaluate how this diverse perspective translates into a strategic advantage:

• Colorblindness: In an organizational context, this refers to a diversity management approach that ignores demographic differences. It is not a strategic cognitive advantage offered by an individual's unique expertise.
• Cognitive flexibility: This refers to the ability of a team or organization to adapt its thinking, draw from diverse knowledge bases, and solve complex problems by integrating different perspectives (such as Michelle's specialized metals background combined with the team's civil engineering expertise). This is a recognized strategic advantage of workplace diversity.
• Protected groups: This is a legal designation for groups protected from employment discrimination. It is not a cognitive or strategic team advantage.
• Groupthink: This is a negative phenomenon where desire for harmony in a decision-making group results in an irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcome. Diversity helps prevent groupthink rather than causing it.

Therefore, her diverse perspective offers the strategic advantage of cognitive flexibility.

Answer:

• Colorblindness
• Cognitive flexibility (Correct answer)
• Protected groups
• Groupthink