10 - Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking

Question 1

319 - What is workplace diversity? (2)

Answer 1

1) Diversity in the workplace means that a company hires a WIDE RANGE of DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS.
2) Diversity is often misconceived as solely multicultural matters; however, it also applies to diversity of GENDER, RACE, ETHNICITY, AGE, SEXUALITY, LANGUAGE, EDUCATION, BACKGROUND etc.

Question 2

320 - What are some of the advantages of a diverse team? (3)

Answer 2

1) Different IDEAS and new WAYS OF THINKING.
2) Different backgrounds bring DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES.
3) A diverse workforce adds to EMPLOYER BRAND and COMPANY CULTURE.

Question 3

321 - Please define inclusion in the workplace?

Answer 3

The ACHIEVEMENT of a WORK ENVIRONMENT in which ALL INDIVIDUALS are TREATED fairly and respectfully, have EQUAL ACCESS to opportunities and resources and can contribute fully to the organisation’s success.

Question 4

322 - Why is diversity important in the workplace? (2)

Answer 4

1) It brings different PERSPECTIVES and IDEAS to the company.
2) It is BENEFICIAL to have all perspectives and viewpoints aimed at helping to calibrate, refine and define the company’s executions and services that it offers.

Question 5

323 - What is the difference between diversity and inclusion? (2)

Answer 5

1) DIVERSITY - the CHARACTERISTICS and things that make us all different.
2) INCLUSION - making everyone FEEL WELCOME.

Question 6

324 - What is meant by the term unconscious bias?

Answer 6

The UNDERLYING ATTITUDES and STEREOTYPES that people UNCONSCIOUSLY attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand and engage with a person or group.

Question 7

325 - Can you explain what equal opportunity is please?

Answer 7

ENSURING EVERYBODY has an EQUAL CHANCE to take up opportunities and to make full use of the opportunities on offer and to fulfil their potential.

Question 8

326 - What is meant by teamwork? (2)

Answer 8

1) A CO-OPERATIVE EFFORT by a group of people to achieve a common goal.
2) In a teamwork environment, people understand and believe that thinking, planning, decisions and actions are BETTER WHEN DONE CO-OPERATIVELY.

Question 9

327 - What makes a good / effective team? (10)

Answer 9

1) A common sense of purpose.
2) Clear understanding of team objectives.
3) Resources to achieve objectives.
4) Mutual respect.
5) Valuing members strengths and weaknesses.
6) Mutual trust.
7) Willingness to share knowledge and expertise.
8) Willingness to speak openly.
9) Range of skills amongst team members.
10) Range of personal styles for various roles.

Question 10

328 - What are the benefits of team working? (7)

Answer 10

1) Shared workload.
2) Improved productivity.
3) Improved quality.
4) Improved customer focus.
5) Speed up the development of solutions.
6) Increase employee motivation.
7) Utilise different skill sets.

Question 11

329 - Difference between a team and committee? (2)

Answer 11

1) A COMMITTEE is a BODY OF PEOPLE APPOINTED for a function.
2) A TEAM is a GROUP OF PEOPLE aiming for a COMMON GOAL in good spirit.

Question 12

330 - How would you go about selecting the right people to join your team? (3)

Answer 12

1) Firstly, understand the task and IDENTIFY what SKILLS and EXPERIENCE is REQURIED.
2) REVIEW the EXISTING TEAM to understand the SKILLS and EXPERIENCE ALREADY AVAILABLE.
3) Select new team members to FILL THE SHORTFALL; the DYNAMICS of the existing TEAM should be considered to ENSURE the NEW PEOPLE ‘FIT’ with the existing team.

Question 13

331 - How would you deal with an inexperienced team member? (4)

Answer 13

1) Provide ENCOURAGEMENT and MOTIVATION.
2) Draw up a PLAN to STRENGTHEN their areas of WEAKNESS.
3) Give CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK.
4) Provide SUPPORT when needed.

Question 14

332 - How do you promote open discussions within your team? (3)

Answer 14

1) Create a CALM and RELAXED ENVIRONMENT during meetings / workshops to make people feel welcome, significant and at ease.
2) PROMOTE the ‘there are NO SILLY QUESTIONS or answers’ CULTURE.
3) ENCOURAGE INVOLVEMENT from all parties - doing a ‘round the table’ for key topic points.

Question 15

333 - Why might a team fail? (2)

Answer 15

1) POOR SELECTION of team members that do not meet the skills required to achieve an objective.
2) INADEQUATE RESOURCE, CONFLICTING PERSONALTIES and POOR LEADERSHIP.

Question 16

334 - Do you know of any theoretical models relating to teams and how they operate? (Statement and diagram with 5 STAGES - refer to book for diagram)

Answer 16

TUCKMAN’S THEORY - Focuses on the way in which a team tackles a task from the initial formation of the team through to completion of the project. The key stages are;
1) FORMING - Specification of common goals and desired behaviour
2) STORMING - Conflicts and negotiation
3) NORMING - Consensus and team spirit
4) PERFORMING - Finding the balance of conformity and deviance
5) ADJOURNING - Feedback and dispersion

Question 17

335 - What is the difference between leadership and management in teamwork? (2)

Answer 17

1) LEADERSHIP - SETTING a new direction or VISION for a group, a leader is the SPEARHEAD for the new direction.
2) MANAGEMENT - CONTROLS or DIRECTS people in a group ACCORDING to principles or values that have ALREADY BEEN ESTABLISHED.

Question 18

336 - What is meant by team dynamics in the workplace?

Answer 18

Team dynamics DESCRIBES the BEHAVIOURAL RELATIONSHIPS between the members of a group. The dynamic between them includes how they interact, communicate and cooperate with one another.

Question 19

337 - How can you improve team dynamics? (6)

Answer 19

1) Know your team and understand what motivates them.
2) Focus attention.
3) Tackle problems quickly with positive feedback.
4) Define roles and responsibilities.
5) Break down barriers and clear communication.
6) Empowerment.