Diversity, Inclusion and Team-working

Question 1

What does successful team-working rely upon?

Answer 1

• Understanding team dynamics, including how they are formed
• Our roles within teams and the behaviours which lead to the effective personal and professional outcomes
  It is important to recognise that a team which incorporates a diverse membership, in terms of backgrounds and qualities, is more likely to be a successful team

Question 2

What has RICS said in regards to D&I?

Answer 2

In 2020, they said it crucial to the BE sector has a diverse and inclusive workforce that represents the global communities our profession supports and serves

Question 3

What are the 9 protected characteristics of the UK’s equality Act 2010?

Answer 3

• Gender reassignment
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation
• Age
• Disability
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Marriage and partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity

Question 4

In order to ensure teams recognise the value of D&I and incorporate them, what is important to adopt?

Answer 4

• Appropriate policies underpinned by suitable values
• Recruitment techniques which recognise and address unconscious biases
• Communication which is inclusive rather than discriminatory
• Practices exceeding legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010
• Training programmes aimed aimed at increasing awareness around diversity and inclusivity, and reducing the influence of unconscious bias

Question 5

What is unconscious bias?

Answer 5

• Relates to the associations we hold which are deeply ingrained and outside of our conscious awareness or control
• These associations are influenced by attitudes formed from our experiences, during our upbringing and education, and the environments in which we work and live
• Everyone has unconscious biases. They can be assessed through Implicit Assumptions Testing
• Unconscious biases can affect how we interact with colleagues, clients and suppliers - positive actions need to be taken to ensure that these biases do not adversely prejudice people

Question 6

What is the Memorandum of Understanding Action Plan (MoU)?

Answer 6

MoU intended to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive sector in order to be more representative of the society it serves.
It requires organisations to determine reasons for poor performance in this area through data collection and education

Question 7

What is the Birchard Review?

Answer 7

It is about the future of RICS and requires RICS to improve diversity and inclusivity in decisions and action relating to its own governance

Question 8

What are the key skills for team-working?

Answer 8

• Listening - to other people’s ideas
• Discussing - team members to ask questions and interact
• Persuading - individuals to consider their positions
• Respect - treating team members with respect and support their ideas
• Helping - to encourage teamwork
• Sharing - information to create a positive team environment
• Participating - ensuring all team members get involved
• Communication - having effective communication skills to allow team members to work together
• Reflection - identifying strengths and weaknesses of team members and the team itself