Cognition is defined as how our mind processes and takes action to acquire knowledge and reach a level of understanding. These processes include thinking, knowing, remembering, judging and problem-solving. There are higher-level functions of the brain as well and encompass language, imagination, perception, and planning.
Comprehension is achieved when the information acquired via the different processes come through thoughts, experiences, and the senses. Scientifically, it is defined as the tendency to engage in intentional cognitive activity and meta-cognition, which is one’s thinking about thinking, and how these variables relate to intellectual task performance.
How is this applicable to organisations? One can imagine how it relates to an individual. To organisations?
Organisations can also process and take action to acquire knowledge; they can achieve understanding through thoughts, experiences and their senses. The form it takes is just different. Knowledge can come in the form of data and research, etc. Thoughts can come in the form of ideas and concerns. Experiences can come in the form of traditions and cultures. Senses can come in the form of relationships and communication.
Peak performance is achieved when the individual or organisation manages to fulfill their goals, better still go beyond the targeted outcome through the modification of their cognition. Performance is measurable. We can therefore ascertain if the cognition is contributing to the performance when we compare the condition of the cognition before and after the intervention.