Diversity, inclusion and teamworking Flashcards
Tell me about an example of where you have worked well in a team.
I worked in a team on a lease renewal project, coordinating with surveyors, legal advisors, and property managers. Success was achieved by clear communication and defined responsibilities, securing a favourable outcome for the client.
How could you have improved your role within the team?
Delegating tasks more effectively to balance workload and providing earlier updates to anticipate issues.
What is a common issue you have come across when working in a team?
Miscommunication leading to delays.
Solution: Regular progress meetings and written action points.
Why is diversity and inclusivity valuable to businesses/teams?
Improves innovation, decision-making, and problem-solving. Enhances employee engagement and reputation.
What are the differences between diversity and inclusion?
Diversity: Representation of different backgrounds and characteristics. Inclusion: Ensuring all individuals feel valued and empowered.
What does inclusive communication include?
Clear, jargon-free language, multiple formats (e.g., written, verbal, visual), active listening and feedback mechanisms.
What is partnering and collaborative working?
A cooperative approach in projects to enhance efficiency, trust, and shared goals.
What is unconscious bias and how can you reduce it?
Subconscious preferences that affect decision-making. Reduced through awareness training and structured decision-making processes.
What policies does your company have and how do you comply with them?
Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Policy – Complied with through fair hiring, inclusive training, and workplace adjustments.
What is a RACI matrix?
A tool assigning Roles, Accountability, Consultation, and Information-sharing in teams.
What is a strategic alliance?
A long-term partnership between firms for mutual business benefits.
Explain your understanding of supply chain management.
The coordination of suppliers and contractors to ensure efficiency and quality in project delivery.
What legislation relates to selecting a project team?
Equality Act 2010 (non-discrimination in hiring) and Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (procurement fairness).
Why is accountability and responsibility important when working in a team?
Ensures tasks are completed effectively and avoids duplication or gaps in work.
Explain Tuckman’s theory in relation to teamwork.
- Forming – Team comes together. 2. Storming – Conflicts arise. 3. Norming – Team aligns. 4. Performing – High productivity. 5. Adjourning – Team disbands after goal completion.
Explain Belbin team roles.
Identifies nine team roles (e.g., Leader, Implementer, Specialist) to balance strengths and weaknesses.
Explain Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
A motivational theory outlining five levels: 1. Physiological (basic needs). 2. Safety (security, employment). 3. Belonging (relationships, teamwork). 4. Esteem (recognition). 5. Self-actualisation (personal growth).
Explain how the RICS Rules of Conduct relate to inclusion and diversity.
Require members to treat others with respect and promote equality and inclusion.
Which ISO relates to inclusion and diversity?
ISO 30415 – Diversity and Inclusion Management.
What is Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE)?
A global certification for workplace gender equality.
What is neurodiversity?
Recognising cognitive differences (e.g., autism, ADHD, dyslexia) as part of workplace diversity.
How and why should neurodiversity be accommodated in the workplace?
Creates a more inclusive environment and harnesses diverse skills. Accommodations include flexible workspaces, clear communication, and assistive technology.
What does PAS 6463:2022 relate to?
Designing for neurodiversity in the built environment.
Explain the aims of the Memorandum of Understanding: Creating a More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Built Environment Sector.
Aims to promote diversity and inclusion across the property industry.
Who are some of the parties to this Memorandum of Understanding?
RICS, RTPI, CIOB, RIBA, and ICE.
What is the impact of the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023?
Strengthens employer responsibilities in preventing workplace harassment.
What can you tell me about the RICS Disability Inclusion Framework?
A guidance document for improving disability inclusion in the profession.
What are reasonable adjustments?
Workplace modifications that ensure employees with disabilities are not disadvantaged.
How can reasonable adjustments be incorporated into the workplace?
Adjustable desks, assistive software, flexible working hours.
What is a Health Adjustment Passport?
A UK Government tool to help disabled employees document and communicate workplace adjustments.
What are some types of teams?
Office teams, Project teams, Accounts teams, Design teams.
What is the Tuckman theory?
Bruce Tuckman’s theory focuses on how a team approaches a task and includes 5 phases:
1. Forming – assembly of a team and planning, collating information and bonding.
2. Storming – address task by suggesting ideas and strong facilitative leadership is crucial.
3. Norming – agreeing rules and values of operation.
4. Performing – identified by high levels of independence, motivation, knowledge, and collaborative decision making.
5. Adjourning/transforming – end of the project and breakup of the team, can return to any phase, typically forming.
What is the Herzberg theory?
Frederick Herzberg’s theory is a two-factor motivational theory based on hygiene and motivational factors.
Workers are encouraged to work harder based on motivational factors such as empowerment, job enlargement, and job enrichment. Workers can become de-motivated if hygiene factors are not met such as remuneration, comfortable working conditions, and annual leave entitlement.
What is workplace diversity?
Diversity in the workplace relates to the acceptance and inclusion of employees of all backgrounds. Ensuring diversity in the workplace is an important asset of an organisation as it acknowledges the individual strengths of each employee and the potential they bring.
What are some advantages of a diverse team?
Increased productivity, Increased creativity, Improved cultural awareness, A positive reputation.
What are inclusive environments?
A culturally inclusive environment requires mutual respect, effective relationships, clear communication, understanding of expectations, and critical self-reflection. Within an inclusive environment, people of all cultural orientations can freely express who they are, their own opinions, and points of view.
Why are inclusive environments important?
According to Deloitte, a growing body of research indicates that diverse and inclusive teams outperform their peers. A diverse team will generate up to 30% higher revenue per employee.
What legislation or regulations relate to inclusive environments?
Equality Act 2010, The Human Rights Act 1998.
Please explain your understanding of inclusion within the workplace?
Inclusion within the workplace is creating an environment and culture where all company employees feel like they belong in the organisation. This results in every employee being comfortable to voice their opinions and that no one person feels excluded on the basis of their identity.
What is meant by the term unconscious bias?
Unconscious bias refers to the associations and assumptions that a person may have about someone solely because of their race, gender, or disability. These judgements are made without conscious awareness and are a major contributor to a lack of workplace diversity.
