The challenges:
- Leveraging the diversity in teams for high performance results
- Creating an inclusive workplace that encourages collaboration among team members with different genders, backgrounds, and circumstances
The solutions:
- Eliminate bias and assumptions about people of different genders, backgrounds, and circumstances
- Provide training on respect, inclusion awareness, and skills
- Provide training on team goal setting, decision making, communicating, conflict resolution, and problem solving
10 tips for problem solving in an inclusive team:
- Use active listening skills (see blog #9 for details)
- Communicate assertively, not aggressively
- Separate personalities from the problems to be solved
- Overcome bias and assumptions
- Focus on "larger picture" issues rather than individual positions
- Commit the time necessary, even if it means re-visiting the issue at a later time
- Commit to an outcome that is mutually acceptable
- Try to understand the reasons behind the positions people are taking
- Be imaginative and open-minded in arriving at a solution
- Commit to maintaining good working relationships
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OUR NEXT INSTALLMENT: The benefits of mentorship
Previous installment: Developing effective verbal communication in a respectful and inclusive workplace.
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Resources:
- BuildForce Canada. "Communication, Negotiation, Conflict Resolution." Construction E-Learning Centre. Available at elearning.buildforce.ca.
- Dyer, W. Gibb Jr. et al. Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance. 2013. Jossey-Bass, U.S.A.
- www.azquotes.com/author/5901-Wayne_Gretzky?p=5, accessed November 17, 2017.
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- JOIN THE CONVERSATION -
How would you describe the qualities of a high-performing inclusive team?
This project has been funded by Status of Women Canada.