Question

While team diversity is a good thing, it does come with challenges. What kind of things do you think organizations can do to support diverse teams in becoming high functioning teams?

Answer 1

Answer:

Diverse team includes employees of varying gender, religion, race, age, ethnicity, education and other attributes. Diversity at work place is important because it helps in building a great reputation for the company, leading to increased profitability and opportunities for workers.

Even though there are many benefits of diversity but it suffers from various challenges. Following are the some of the things that an organisation should adopt in order to support diverse teams in becoming high functioning teams.

1.INCLUSIVE BEHAVIOUR:

There must be inclusive behaviour towards the different personalities within the organisation. Even if a person belongs to same religion or race as yours but the idea, thoughts or preferences differ person to person. There must be regular diversity and inclusion talks and seminars in the work place.

2. APPRECIATE EFFORTS:

An organisation should make sure that the efforts taken by various employees are recognised and appreciated. Organization should implement employee recognition program across all employees equally through different ranks and departments. An engaging culture of recognition promotes a sense of belongingness and connection.

3. FREEDOM OF SPEECH:

The organisation and superior should give employees say on the matters affecting their well being. In case of any problem or grievance, timely action must be taken by the organisation. Organization must make sure that the employees feel heard and supported for building employee's trust in management.

4. ENCOURAGE DIVERSITY:

The organisation should review its entire recruitment, interview and onboarding processes and find out possible diversity blocks along the way. If all the placements are done from same background (education, race, etc) than organisation should implement measures to stop such repetitive placement preference.

5. DELEGATION AND SUPPORT:

An organisation should encourage the team spirit among the employees. They need to understand each others strengths and weaknesses. Through working together, colleagues will be aware of their own capabilities and hence proper work can be delegated to them. There must be a environment of support for each other so that nobody could feel left out.

Hence these are the some of the important ways in which an organisation can support diverse teams in becoming high functioning team.