Ways of working
8 min read

What is collective intelligence?

Published on
June 25, 2024

Collective intelligence definition

Collective intelligence refers to the capacity that emerges from the collaboration and collective efforts of many individuals or entities. It is the ability of a group to outperform individual members in various problem-solving and decision-making tasks. 

This phenomenon can be observed in both human and animal groups and is increasingly relevant in the context of digital and networked environments.

Collective intelligence can manifest in various forms, such as : 

  • crowdsourcing, 
  • open-source projects, 
  • or collaborative platforms like Wikipedia (!) where the collective efforts of many individuals contribute to a more comprehensive and accurate resource than any single individual could achieve alone.

Collective intelligence is particularly valuable in today's interconnected world, where complex problems often require interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative efforts.

Who invented collective intelligence ? 

Pierre Lévy is often cited as the principal theorist of collective intelligence. But in truth, the concept has been influenced by the work of many other thinkers and researchers.

Pierre Lévy 

A French philosopher who popularized the concept of collective intelligence in the 1990s. In his book "L'intelligence collective: Pour une anthropologie du cyberspace" (1994), he explores how information and communication technologies can transform collective thought processes.

Douglas Engelbart 

A pioneer in computing, Engelbart is known for his work on systems for collaboration and knowledge sharing. His concept of "collective IQ" is a precursor to the modern idea of collective intelligence.

James Surowiecki 

His book "The Wisdom of Crowds" (2004) also had a significant impact by popularizing the idea that groups of people can make better decisions than individual experts, under certain conditions.

Did you know that ? 🐝
At Bee'z Consulting, we specialize in unleashing the power of agility and efficiency to drive growth, resilience, and success in your organization.

Why use collective intelligence ?

Collective intelligence harnesses the combined knowledge, skills, and perspectives of a group, leading to more effective problem-solving and decision-making than individual efforts alone. Here is why you should try to incorporate collective intelligence into your culture…

  1. Get more creativity : Diverse perspectives can lead to more creative solutions and innovative ideas.
  2. Improve Decision-Making : Groups can often identify errors and biases that individuals might overlook, resulting in better decisions.
  3. Be faster and more efficient : Collaboration accelerate the completion of complex tasks and projects.
  4. Access to a wider range of expertise: By leveraging the knowledge and skills of many people, collective intelligence pools expertise that might not be available from a single person.
  5. Increase engagement and motivation: Involving more people in the decision-making process increase their commitment.
  6. Become more adaptable: Groups adapt more quickly to changing circumstances by pooling their collective knowledge and resources.

📰 ALSO READ → 7 things a change management consultant can do for you !

The 5 pillars of collective intelligence 🖐

Diversity 

The diversity of participants, including differences in skills, experiences, and perspectives, plays an important part. It brings varied and innovative ideas.

Communication

Open and transparent communication facilitates the exchange of ideas and information, and allow each member to contribute.

Trust and Psychological Safety

Members must feel safe to express their opinions without fear of judgment or retribution. This trust encourages active and authentic participation.

Collaborative Technologies

Collaborative technologies, like project management software such as Trello or Asana, and knowledge-sharing platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams, play a pivotal role in enhancing collective efforts. 

These tools streamline communication, task allocation, and document sharing, ensuring teams can collaborate seamlessly regardless of geographical location. 

They promote transparency in project progress and facilitate real-time updates.

Leadership 

A leader who fosters open communication and respects diverse viewpoints helps maintain team cohesion and clarity of purpose. This approach not only enhances decision-making but also boosts morale and foster a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued.

📰 ALSO READ → Leadership Skills Development : How might this help your organization?

5 collective intelligence frameworks

Here are some examples of frameworks used to promote collective intelligence within an organization :

💬 Theory U 

Developed by Otto Scharmer, this process, based on listening and observation, aims to help teams detach from past experiences and work to bring forth new transformational opportunities, free from preconceived notions.

🤸‍♂️ AGILE 

Often used in software development, AGILE promotes continuous collaboration among cross-functional teams and adaptation to changes throughout the project.

💥 Design Thinking 

A user-centered creative process that encourages multidisciplinary collaboration to solve problems and design solutions in just 5 days!

🧱 Scrum 

An agile project management framework that fosters collaboration and self-organization among teams to deliver high-quality products iteratively.

💬 Open Space Technology 

During Open Space meetings and events, participants create and manage their own agenda of sessions around a defined theme. This format allows participants to lead discussions autonomously and collaboratively explore specific questions or themes.

What are the limitations of collective intelligence?

  • Conformity,
  • lack of diversity,
  • lack of procedure,
  • self-censorship (fear of judgment, lack of confidence, lack of commitment)

These are the main barriers to collective intelligence.

TO CONCLUDE

  • Collective intelligence represents a powerful force in today's interconnected world. 🦾
  • By integrating collective intelligence into organizational culture, businesses can unlock creativity, improve decision-making, and enhance efficiency. 🔓
  • However, challenges ; such as a lack of diversity or procedural gaps, still remain sometimes in the organizations and can hinder its full potential. ❌
  • Overcoming these barriers requires fostering a culture of openness, trust, and active participation, supported by leadership and appropriate technological tools. 💡

At Bee'z Consulting, we're committed to revolutionizing the organization's landscape through the power of collaboration and agility. 

Join us in our mission to drive growth ! 🚀 

Discover how our innovative solutions can help your organization thrive in today's dynamic environment.

Silvina Layani

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