Diversity in Teams

Question 1

What are the different types of teams?

Answer 1

1. Homogeneous teams
2. Token teams
3. Bicultural teams
4. Multicultural teams

Question 2

What are the characteristics of homogenous teams?

Answer 2

• All members have a similar background.
• They tend to see the world in a similar way and come to similar solutions.

Question 3

What are the characteristics of token teams?

Answer 3

• All are from the same culture except one.
• Team leaders of token teams will increase the team’s overall vision and performance by paying attention to the token member’s alternative vision.

Question 4

What are the characteristics of bicultural teams?

Answer 4

• Consist of two cultures.
• Equally or unequally distributed.
• In unequal bicultural teams there is a tendency for the group with the larger number of members to dominate.
• The team manager has to ensure equal attention in the team.
• They perform best if they share their different perspectives and use it to their advantage.

Question 5

What are the characteristics of multicultural teams?

Answer 5

More than two cultures

Question 6

Strengths of multicultural teams

Answer 6

• Diversity increases creativity.
• There is less “groupthink” or group pressure to do what the group wants.
• Broader perspective
• Better problem definitions

Question 7

Weaknesses of multicultural teams

Answer 7

• Lack cohesion
• Some nonverbal communication aspects can cause mistrust in multicultural teams.
• Stereotyping

Question 8

What are the conditions for multicultural team effectiveness?

Answer 8

• Only the language everybody speaks should be used.
• Ensure that assignments are creative and innovative.
• Inclusiveness, creativity, and awareness of bias.

Question 9

What is cultural bias?

Answer 9

Interpreting and judging the object of perception by standards built into one’s own culture.

Question 10

What is implicit bias?

Answer 10

To have unconscious attitudes and prejudices towards people or groups of people or hold stereotypes against them without our conscious knowledge.

Question 11

What are the stages of group formation?

Answer 11

1. Forming
2. Storming
3. Norming
4. Performing
5. Adjourning

Question 12

What are the characteristics of the Forming stage in group formation?

Answer 12

Characterized by uncertainty.

Question 13

What are the characteristics of the Storming stage in group formation?

Answer 13

• Full of internal group conflict and leadership clashes.
• For low-context cultures, clashes in opinion are not such a problem.
• In high-context and collective cultures they are regarded as rude and unprofessional.

Question 14

What are the characteristics of the Norming stage in group formation?

Answer 14

• Group cohesiveness grows.
• Relationships are formed.

Question 15

What are the characteristics of the Performing stage in group formation?

Answer 15

The group is now working at it’s full potential.

Question 16

What are the characteristics of the Adjourning stage in group formation?

Answer 16

When you wrap up activities and come to a conclusion.