Od napięć do synergii w zróżnicowanych zespołach – koncepcja mądrości różnorodności
From tensions to synergies in diverse teams – the diversity wisdom concept

Summary/Abstract: This article presents the first stage of a broader research program dedicated to conceptualizing and operationalizing diversity wisdom. The article aims to identify the constituent elements of diversity wisdom and determine the mechanisms of its impact on transforming diversity barriers into organizational synergies. Previous approaches to wisdom were based primarily on rationalist perspectives, such as deep rationality theory, and pragmatic approaches, such as the Berlin wisdom paradigm. In contrast to traditional intercultural competencies focusing on adaptation to differences, diversity wisdom represents a meta-ability for proactively transforming diversity from a potential source of barriers into a strategic resource.This study develops these traditions by proposing an operational definition of diversity wisdom as an individual ability integrating cognitive, emotional, moral-normative, and regulatory dimensions. This construction captures key characteristics of effective functioning under uncertainty and cultural complexity: behavioral flexibility, practical reflection, perspective-taking ability, empathy, and emotional regulation.The article is based on a systematic literature review comprising 60 scientific publications and qualitative content analysis, which enabled the identification of thematic codes and their association with dimensions of diversity wisdom. Based on this, a taxonomy model of diversity wisdom was developed, providing a systematized framework of its dimensions. Additionally, a conceptual model illustrates how diversity wisdom enables the transformation of barriers into synergies in diversity management contexts. The critical charge of metaphoricity of this concept is addressed by emphasizing that the central goal of the research is its operationalization, enabling empirical testing in practice. The article thus represents the first step in transitioning from metaphor to a conceptually grounded and measurable construct, preparing the foundation for empirical validation in subsequent research stages. Further stages of the research program will include qualitative validation through case studies and the development of measurement tools.

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