Diversity in the working group and Group Development
Different experiences (background), nationalities, gender, socioeconomic statuses, religious and sexual preferences, age and very much more
Diversity gives advantages in
- Marketing
- Business
- Innovation
How do you create Diversity in the working group and Group Development
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1.Embrace and Celebrate Diversity
2.Build an Inclusive Environment
3.Facilitate Group Development
4.Encourage Collaborative Learning
5.Monitor and Evaluate Progress
1.Embrace and Celebrate Diversity
Recognise Differences
- Understand and acknowledge the various backgrounds,
cultures, and perspectives within your team. Encourage
team members to share their unique experiences.
Inclusive Communication
- Ensure that all voices are heard. Facilitate open discussions
where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions
and ideas.
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Cultural Competence
- Provide training to increase awareness and understanding
of different cultures, beliefs, and practices within the team.
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2.Build an Inclusive Environment
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Equal Opportunities
- Ensure that all team members have access to the same
opportunities for growth, development and advancement.
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Fairness in Decision-Making
- Implement transparent decision-making processes that are
free from biases.
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Support Networks
- Create support groups or mentorship programs that help
underrepresented groups within the team.
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3.Facilitate Group Development
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Team Building Activities
- Regular team-building exercises can help build trust and
improve communication within the group.
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Role Clarity
- Clearly define roles and responsibilities to avoid
misunderstandings and conflicts.
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Conflict Resolution
- Establish mechanisms for addressing conflicts
constructively, focusing on resolution
rather than blame.
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4.Encourage Collaborative Learning
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Cross-Cultural Learning
- Encourage team members to learn from each other’s
diverse experiences and skills. This can be done through
workshops, collaborative projects or peer mentoring.
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Continuous Feedback
- Foster a culture where feedback is regularly given and
received, helping team members grow and develop in a
supportive environment.
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5.Monitor and Evaluate Progress
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Diversity Metrics
- Track diversity metrics to ensure that the team remains
inclusive and representative of different groups.
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Employee Satisfaction Surveys
- Regularly check in with the team through surveys or
meetings to measure their satisfaction with the group’s
dynamics and development
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Adapt and Improve
- Be open to making changes based on feedback and the
evolving needs of the team.
Dr. Susan A. Wheelan has studied group development and has observed the following steps:
To develop the group is particularly important in diversified (mixed) teams, since the risk of conflicts then increases
An efficient group is at a level 4
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https://www.ted.com/talks/rocio_lorenzo_how_diversity_makes_teams_more_innovative
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https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_forget_the_pecking_order_at_work#t-449839
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https://www.ted.com/talks/margaret_heffernan_dare_to_disagre
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https://www.ted.com/talks/rocio_lorenzo_how_diversity_makes_teams_more_innovative?
