Surrounding yourself with like-minded people isn't a bad thing. But for your business to reach new, ... [ ] never-before-seen heights, diversity of thought is required.

One of the most common pitfalls we see in the business world is when organizations exclusively work with people who think like they do. While at first glance, this could seem like it would help the organization become more unified; in the long run, it can actually do more harm than good.

Instead, you should seek to work with people who think differently from you. By bringing in people with unique perspectives and backgrounds, you can unlock a host of valuable benefits that will serve you well in the short and long term.

One of the most important reasons to work with people who think differently is that it will help you avoid groupthink. Groupthink describes a psychological occurrence where people who desire conformity make decisions in a way that discourages any sense of creativity or individual responsibility. Everyone wants to conform with a single mindset or way of thinking, and this can be disastrous.

Groupthink is believed to have played a role in situations ranging from the U.S. failing to address warnings about a possible attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II to the economic crisis of 2008.

If nothing else, working with people who think differently can act as a safety net, ensuring someone is willing to challenge the status quo.

Research has consistently shown that........

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