Collaborative Intelligence: Thinking with People Who Think Differently

What I'm Reading

"We have no choice but to think together, ponder together, in groups and communities. The question is how to do this, how to come together and think and hear each other in order to touch, and be touched by, the intelligence we need."  - Jacob Needleman

I've recently picked up the book Collaborative Intelligence: Thinking with People Who Think Differently by Dawna Markova, PH.d. and Angie McArthur in the hopes of gaining a better understanding of what I call "Diversity of Thought".

I've become interested in this subject due to my experience being a part of a team that included very smart people with diverse creative/technical skills, backgrounds and educational experiences who have succeeded at solving a very complex problem. The great thing about this team was the leader's ability to recognize the "Diversity of Thought" in the room! 

She understood that each professional brought with them their experiences from past complex problem solving projects to work together to create something great...and we did!

The question I have is...If your team thinks like you, looks like you and never challenges you to think differently...how innovative can you be?!?

People are most comfortable working with people who are just like them, which smothers "Diversity of Thought"...How do we make ourselves uncomfortable in order to do the great things that are required of us?