Diversity, Inclusion & Teamworking

Question 1

Why is diversity important?

Answer 1

It avoids discrimination in the workplace! Increased creativity, reduced employee turnover, better company reputation, higher innovation, better informed decision making

Question 2

What makes a team successful?

Answer 2

• Listening to each other
• Common sense of purpose
• Clear objectives
• Understand their role within the team
• Suitably resourced team
• Respect
• Communication
• Helping
• Participating
• Diversity – different people with different skills

Question 3

What is unconscious bias?

Answer 3

Unconscious bias is the associations which we hold so deeply that they are outside of our conscious control. MSC has an e-learning on unconscious bias and how to identify it.

Question 4

What is MSCs diversity policy? How does MSC reflect the Equality Act 2010?

Answer 4

• MSC has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy which records that their approach is to create a respectful environment, zero tolerance approach to prejudice, harassment and bullying, upskilling for all focuses on senior management
• There are 5 e-learning modules on understanding bias, privilege,
• Posts on International Women’s Day, Neurodiversity Week
• Insights Profiling

Question 5

How could MSC improve diversity?

Answer 5

Systemic issue so getting into schools, apprenticeships, graduates, support those with diverse needs, changing recruitment processes

Question 6

What is the business value of diversity within a team?

Answer 6

More likely to have successes, productive, be effective, range of knowledge, brings innovation and less stress

Question 7

What is teamworking?

Answer 7

This is co-operation between those who are working on a task. A team is willing to achieve a common aim

Question 8

Why is teamworking important?

Answer 8

A collaborative between diverse minds can solve complex problems. Everyone should feel involved and valued. How can everyone be engaged? Everyone’s opinion is taken into account

Question 9

How can you improve team dynamics?

Answer 9

• Know the people well
• Tackle problems quickly with positive feedback, define roles
• Break down barriers
• Clear communication
• Focus on the tasks

Question 10

What makes a good team player?

Answer 10

• Listener
• Knows their roles and skills
• Effective communication
• Accountable
• Asks for feedback

Question 11

How is the RICS improving diversity?

Answer 11

• The Bichard Review in 2022 asked RICS to improve diversity and inclusivity
• New roles e.g. EDI Director
• Action plan with CIOB, RIBA etc to improve equity/diversity

New Rules of Conduct!

Question 12

What is Belbin’s Theory?

Answer 12

Looks at team roles, identify what roles you need, looks at the strengths and weaknesses as a member and now how each member can contribute to the team
i. Plant – creative
ii. Resource investigator – extrovert, explorer
iii. Co-ordinator – decision maker, confident
iv. Shaper – challenges ideas
v. Teamworker – co-operative

Question 13

What is Tuckman’s Theory?

Answer 13

a. This proposes that teams go through 5 stages of development
i. Forming – we are here
ii. Storming
iii. Norming
iv. Performing
v. Adjourning

Question 14

What did you find when discussing team dynamics, strengths, weaknesses, etc?

Answer 14

• All willing to listen to each other
• People’s preferences, some I knew and others I didn’t – made sense when I knew their colour profile
• I think it bonded us and was a good step to move the team forward (only forming at current)
• 360 feedback – anonymous feedback

Question 15

How does MSC help develop a team?

Answer 15

• Apprasid
• 360 reviews
• Insights Profiling