Center for Cooperative Problem Solving

"Is tailoring for cognitive diversity the answer to successful SME recruitment?" asks Dr. Megan Seibel, in a new feature for SME Today (https://www.smetoday.co.uk/)

A recent report has revealed that year-on-year employment growth among UK small businesses has fallen significantly from 7.8% in December 2024 to just 2.5% last year.

For SMEs already navigating regulatory changes, economic uncertainty and rising costs – from employer National Insurance contributions to increases in the National Living Wage – this slowdown is hardly unexpected.

Within the framework of KAI, Megan's article explains why success is no longer defined solely by skills or experience, but by the ability to apply them effectively within a given context.

Megan is a valued KAI practitioner and Director & Co-Founder of the at Virginia Tech.

Click here to read the full version: https://www.smetoday.co.uk/news/is-tailoring-for-cognitive-diversity-the-answer-to-successful-sme-recruitment/

Are you getting the answers you want from AI, or the answers you need to hear?

There is a difference.

Also, how can you use AI to unlock hidden team potential?

If these two concepts intrigue you, consider checking out this podcast with Dr. Kathryn Jablokow.

It's 26 minutes that will provide some insight and help you be more effective in your leadership and in leading your team.

This is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Learnovate’s YouTube.

Click here to listen https://youtu.be/NWadysAYm48?si=gd0jAIcEZl83ID0d

It’s a big year in the world of KAI, as we celebrate 50 years since Dr. Michael Kirton’s first publication on KAI. 👏

👉 The theme is: KAI at 50: Shaping the Future of Work and Wellbeing through good health, leadership, coworking, care, education, the arts, engineering, and science.

✅ The KAI Symposium is open for all to attend (academics, graduate students, consultants, military personnel, extension agents, etc.), running April 13-14, online via Zoom.

This year, we have:
👉 12 presentations from KAI practitioners (across 11 time zones)
👉 2 keynote addresses
👉 3 workshops
👉 1 panel discussion
👉 Lots of opportunities for discussion and reflection

Topics range from use of generative AI technology, Generation Z, collegiate student organizations, design thinking, evaluation, marketing, self-actualization, and stylistic differences in choreography (just to name a few). Check out the list of speakers and bios at https://lnkd.in/eQUx-XZm

👉 It would be impossible to pack more into 10 ½ hours of programming.

👉 Everyone attending will receive a box of KAI memorabilia.

We hope you consider attending if you are available.

👉 If you are not available, all sessions are recorded and available for viewing later for paid registrants. Attend when you can, leave if you need to do so.

The KAI Symposium is co-hosted by Center for Cooperative Problem Solving, at Virginia Tech, and the KAI Foundation.

Register here - https://lnkd.in/essRCWjF

It was 10 years ago today, that Megan Seibel and Curt Friedel walked to Dr. Ed Jones's office at Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and we began to organize the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving (CCPS) at Virginia Tech.

Dr. Jones was instrumental in grounding CCPS in Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Seems like a lot has changed since then. However, we can say that:

👉 Our work is still incredibly relevant.

👉 Proud of the work we have done.

👉 A great deal of work is still ahead of us.

We are incredibly thankful for all the support provided and relationships built in the KAI community. Your insights drive us.

Here's to another great 10 years!

Center for Cooperative Problem Solving Individuals associated with the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving are working to advance the teaching, research, and outreach of Adaption-Innovation (A-I) theory and the corresponding measure, Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI).

Dr. Iwan Jenkins will be presenting a free webinar about the core aspects of KAI.

April 7, at 10:00 AM, EDT.

If you have ever heard Iwan speak before, you know it is well worth your time.

The man can present anything, and it will be exciting.

Very thankful for Iwan for donating his time and sharing his expertise to make this happen.

Click the link to register.

FREE Webinar - Core Aspects of KAI - KAI FREE Webinar explaining the key aspects of KAI, with Dr Iwan Jenkins, KAI Master Practitioner. 7th April 2026 at 10am EST. Click for more details and to register. All attendees will receive a $90 Discount against the KAI Symposium fee!

If you are working with teams that are not productive because of conflict, or you have creative teams not giving you the results your clients need, KAI is a tool used by consultants and business professionals for 50 years (since 1976).

Practitioners embrace it, because it delivers results.

KAI can be used to:
👉 Improve leader's understanding of self, and how best to work with those who have different problem-solving styles. Learn to recognize when individuals are coping to work with you.

👉 Help creative teams realize what approach the problem may require to be solved, more adaption or more innovation. Note, we contrast innovation with adaption; both approaches being creative.

👉 Predict the types of products/services a creative team may develop, and how to modify instructions to get the results needed.

👉 Improve collaboration and reduce conflict between teams and groups.

To predict team dynamics, manage team-to-team operations, or lead organizational change, businesses rely on the KAI to thrive in the fast-changing world of today and tomorrow.

Our next KAI Accreditation Course is offered fully online, beginning April 13 online, with required attendance for live video conferencing on April 28, 29, 30, and June 10 & 11.

👉 The course is designed for contemporary work environments and flexibility across time zones.

The full schedule and link to apply for the April course can be found at - https://ccps.alce.vt.edu/kai-accreditation.html

Our relationship with computers is changing.

We often provide prompts to computers to get facts.

For example, if I want directions to a restaurant, my phone gives me the shortest route, based on the criteria I provided.

👉 Now with generative AI, one may provide a prompt and get a perspective or observation. Could even be an opinion.

👉 The difference is subtle and noteworthy.

A generated AI perspective may be biased due to information available, and how the question was framed by the asker (more adaptively framed or more innovatively framed).

👉 It seems we can use generative AI to enhance the capacity of our thinking, and simulate diverse perspectives to aid our thinking.

👉 It is clear that the connections between generative AI and KAI will be at the forefront of presentations at the annual KAI Symposium.

The theme is - Shaping the future of work and wellbeing. Obviously generative AI will have an impact on both work and wellbeing.

If these are the conversations that interest you, don't miss this year's KAI Symposium.

👉 Celebrating 50 years of KAI on April 13 & 14.

This link has the registration information https://ccps.alce.vt.edu/kai-symposium.html

It is Giving Day at Virginia Tech.

There are a lot of great programs to support. Virginia Tech has a lot of great people doing great things.

If it's not too crazy of an idea to consider, join me in giving $5 to the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving .

All funds collected in the next 24 hours will be used to support graduate students use of KAI in their research.

👉 You can donate directly at https://givingday.vt.edu/giving-day/107794/donate?des=732632&dept=107808

Tomorrow is the start of Virginia Tech's Giving Day!

Feb. 18-19, noon to noon.

The Center for Cooperative Problem Solving is participating this year.

If we have touched you somehow, consider giving back.

Not looking for large donations. Giving $5 means a lot to us.

Of course, if you want to give more, we would be grateful.

Link to give is at https://givingday.vt.edu/giving-day/107794/donate?des=732632&dept=107808

There has been some discussion about defining the KAI Community.

It is a bit hard to describe the community as KAI is used in so many ways.

The following description came together with the help of Angus Ryall.

The KAI community is made up of accredited practitioners who use KAI to develop leaders, strengthen teams, and drive change. Our members work worldwide as consultants, coaches, managers, engineers, military personnel, and academics - united by a commitment to effective problem-solving.

What do you think?

Any amendments?

If this is attractive to you, would it be unreasonable to consider joining us?
Let me know.

There is a lot of problems to solve out there.

When solving problems in teams, KAI is a tool that can help you turn insight into foresight.