February 13th, 2025

NOTICING AND WONDERING

There are different types of intelligence, from general intelligence to emotional intelligence to social intelligence and beyond but have you heard of collective intelligence?

Collective intelligence (CQ) is the ability for a group (2 or more people with a shared interest / goal) to come together and perform well together based on how they interact together, rather than just because of individual capabilities. CQ represents a group’s ability to work together effectively, solve problems, and adapt to new challenges, much like how general intelligence (IQ) represents an individual’s cognitive ability. 

I notice that psychology has developed precise, research-based measures for individual traits (like IQ, EQ, and cognitive flexibility), but our language for team success has remained largely observational (like high performing and resilient). While people have long recognized that groups can be “smart”, it wasn't until 2010 that collective intelligence was scientifically validated as a measurable construct.

I wonder why this is not more broadly discussed and focused on in the workplace? Why aren’t people measuring CQ to determine things like team composition, leadership potential, organizational effectiveness, merger compatibility, project team assembly, or cultural fit during hiring? These measurements could transform how we build and develop teams, evaluate organizational health, and make strategic decisions about collaboration and structure.

A QUOTE TO THINK ABOUT

A DEEP-ish QUESTION (or Three)

1. Think about the most effective team you've ever been part of - what was unique about how that group interacted with each other, and how might those interactions have contributed to its collective intelligence?

2. If collective intelligence is shaped more by how team members interact than by individual capabilities, how might you develop this in your team?

3. If you looked through the lens of collective intelligence, how would that affect who you hire and how you develop your leaders?

SOMETHING TO TRY

During your next team meeting, observe the interaction patterns for 10 minutes: Who speaks? Who listens? How do ideas build on each other? Notice how the quality of these interactions might be influencing your team's collective intelligence. 

Then try one small experiment - like inviting a quiet member to share instead of speaking yourself or asking a question instead of making a statement - and see how it shifts the group dynamic.

This micro-observation and intervention approach lets people start noticing and influencing team interactions right away, without requiring special tools or major changes.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Transform Your Team's Collective Intelligence with Groops

Want to measure and enhance your team's collective intelligence? Groops offers a comprehensive solution that combines data-driven assessment with expert-led coaching. Our virtual process starts with a CQ assessment that measures your team's interaction patterns and collective capabilities. This is followed by a focused 2-hour workshop (virtual or live) where our organizational psychologists help your team understand their CQ results and practice evidence-based techniques to strengthen their collective intelligence. You'll receive a detailed recommendation report highlighting key insights and specific strategies to elevate your team's performance. Transform how your team thinks and works together - all in less time than a typical quarterly planning session.

Sign up here!

Thanks for reading and keep on connecting. :)

Best,

Bobbi

Bobbi Wegner, Psy.D.
Founder and CEO of Groops​: helping teams feel and function their best
Lecturer at Harvard University in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

If you are curious about a workplace dynamic or issue, send me an email at drbobbiwegner@joingroops.com and I will anonymously post it and respond. If you are thinking it, others are too. We can learn from each other. Also, if you are curious about the cohesion and health of your team, book a complimentary 30-minute consultation HERE with one of our Groop Guides.