Diversity & Inclusion Flashcards
What is workplace diversity?
Diversity in the workplace means that a company hires a wide range of diverse individuals.
Diversity is often misconceived as solely multicultural however it also applies to diversity of:
Gender
Age
Race
Ethnicity
Language
Education
Sexuality
Background
What does workplace inclusion mean?
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.
Why is diversity important in the workplace?
It brings different perspectives and ideas to the company.
It is beneficial to have all perspectives and viewpoints aimed at helping to calibrate, refine and define the company’s execution and services that it offers.
What is the difference between diversity and inclusion?
Diversity - The characteristics and things that make us all different.
Inclusion - Making everyone feel welcome.
What is meant by the term unconscious bias?
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.
Can you explain what equal opportunity is please?
Ensuring everybody has an equal chance to take up opportunities, make full use of those opportunities on offer and fulfil their potential.
What is meant by teamwork?
• A cooperative effort by a group of people to achieve a common goal.
• In a teamwork environment, people understand and believe that thinking, planning, decisions, and actions are better when done cooperatively.
What makes a strong and effective team?
• A common sense of purpose.
• Clear understanding of team objectives.
• Resources to achieve objectives.
• Mutual respect.
• Valuing members’ strengths and weaknesses.
• Mutual trust.
• Willingness to share knowledge and expertise.
• Willingness to speak openly.
• Range of skills amongst team members.
• Range of personal styles for various roles
What are the benefits of teamwork?
• Shared workload.
• Improved productivity.
• Improved quality.
• Improved customer focus.
• Speed up the development of solutions.
• Increase employee motivation.
• Utilise different skillsets
What is the difference between a team and a committee?
• A committee is a body of people appointed for a function.
• A team is a group of people aiming for a common goal in good spirit
How would you go about selecting the right people to join your team?
• Firstly, understand the task and identify what skills and experience are required.
• Review the existing team to understand the skills and experience already available.
• 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
How would you deal with an inexperienced team member?
• Provide encouragement and motivation.
• Draw up a plan to strengthen their areas of weakness.
• Give constructive feedback.
• Provide support where needed
How do you promote open discussions within your team?
• Create a calm and relaxed environment during meetings/workshops to make people feel welcome, significant, and at ease.
• Promote the ‘there are no silly questions or answers’ culture.
• Encourage involvement from all parties by doing a ‘round the table’ for key topic points
Why might a team fail?
• Poor selection of team members that do not meet the skills required to achieve an objective.
• Inadequate resources, conflicting personalities, and poor leadership
Do you know of any theoretical models relating to teams and how they operate?
• Tuckman’s theory: Tuckman’s theory focuses on the way in which a team tackles a task from the initial formation of the team until the completion of the task or project. The key stages are:
• Forming: Specification of common goals and desired behaviour.
• Storming: Conflicts and negotiation.
• Norming: Consensus and team spirit.
• Performing: Clear vision and purpose. Focus on goal achievement.
• Adjourning: Feedback and recognition
What is the difference between leadership and management in teamwork?
• Leadership: Setting a new direction or vision for a group, a leader is the spearhead for the new direction.
• Management: Controls or directs people in a group according to principles or values that have already been established
What is meant by team dynamics in the workplace?
• 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
How can you improve team dynamics?
• Know your team and understand what motivates them.
• Focus attention.
• Tackle problems quickly with positive feedback.
• Define roles and responsibilities.
• Break down barriers and have clear communication.
• Empowerment
