Here's how you can effectively manage a diverse team.
Managing a diverse team is an enriching experience that brings various perspectives and ideas to the table. However, it also presents unique challenges that require thoughtful strategies to ensure every team member feels included, respected, and valued. The key to effective management lies in recognizing the strengths of diversity and leveraging them for the team's collective success. By fostering an environment of open communication and mutual respect, you can harness the full potential of your team's varied backgrounds and experiences.
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Lakshmi Prasad JTop Business Management Voice | Vice President, Global Banking, HSBC | Ex-Deutsche Bank Capital Markets & Treasury…
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Vanessa E. Bass, CMP, MMP, HMCCSmart Meetings Innovator Award Recipient | 3x LinkedIn Top Voice | Speaker & Thought Leader | Data-Driven Storyteller |…
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Aysegul (June) Bilirgen, PMP®
To manage a diverse team effectively, you must first embrace the differences among team members. This means acknowledging and valuing the unique backgrounds, skills, and perspectives each person brings. Encourage your team to share their experiences and viewpoints, and show genuine interest and respect for their contributions. By creating a culture of inclusivity, where differences are celebrated rather than merely tolerated, you can build a strong foundation of trust and collaboration.
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Vanessa E. Bass, CMP, MMP, HMCC
Smart Meetings Innovator Award Recipient | 3x LinkedIn Top Voice | Speaker & Thought Leader | Data-Driven Storyteller | Event Strategist | Delivering Transformative & Impactful Solutions
Managing a diverse team effectively starts with embracing everyone's unique strengths and perspectives. Encourage open dialogue where everyone feels heard and respected. This builds trust. Understand your team members individually - their backgrounds, strengths, and working styles. Adapt your management style to meet their needs and leverage their diverse skills. Set clear, inclusive goals and make sure everyone knows their role. Provide equal opportunities for growth and tackle biases head-on. Promote a culture of learning and improvement. Celebrate diversity as an asset, not a hurdle. Keep it real, respect differences, and use them to your team's advantage.
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Edson Matsuoka
Enactus Brasil | PhD Candidate in Land Management at UDESC | FGV EAESP Alumni Board Member | Passionate about Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Sustainability
É muito comum para um gestor buscar pessoas que tenham características semelhantes às suas. No entanto, isto é um grande erro estratégico uma vez que o processo de formação de um time exige a diversidade de pensamento que permite ampliar as capacidades cognitivas e de atuação de uma organização. Neste sentido, um líder deve avaliar as qualidades necessárias para ter uma equipe eficiente e buscar agregar à sua equipe pessoas com características distintas que possam promover uma capacidade ampliada com através bda diversidade.
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Andrés J. Arenas Falótico, SFHEA, MBA, MEd., Ph.D.
Professionally certified by Harvard Businessmentor. Award winning, Aneca Accredited, Neogeneralist-Future Thinker - Dr in Management - Expert in organizational behavior, HHRR, entrepreneurship and int'l business
Who should adapt? The prevalent belief is that individuals who differ from the majority should conform. Conversely, some argue that diversity should be leveraged as a strength, implying that the "different" need not change, while others must strive to understand and adapt. Consider a scenario where an individual works in a foreign country with a distinct management style. The onus of adaptation hinges on the company's ethos. Should a company profess its commitment to diversity, it is incumbent upon the management to actively listen and initiate steps to address any disparities. In contrast, if a company does not prioritize diversity, it falls to the employee to align their behavior with the prevailing norms
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Hermann Borchers (MBA Henley)
Coaching - Consulting - Artificial Intelligence (AI) Senior Sales Account Executive | Experienced Sales, CRM, Adviser for Business Owners | Strategy Coach / StartUp | Mentor for Community & Non-Profits
I embrace differences in general. I learned so much from my colleagues who showed me that "new ways" to doing things can be "refreshing" By default we know that each team member comes from a different background with unique skills and perspectives. I usually try to learn about these differences and I want to understand the strengths they bring to the team. I encourage (and I am genuinely interested) that my team members share personal experiences and viewpoints. We all know that in business we have to follow a mission which has an defined outcome. My team members feel valued, empowered and respected, which leads to them to show their best work.
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Obinna Ukaegbu
Strategy & Management Consultant
Leading by example, fostering open lines of communication, accepting differences, and being adaptable are all necessary components to managing a diverse team. Organise frequent meetings to promote open communication and foster an inclusive atmosphere where everyone is respected. For example, be accommodating to a team member's schedule if they observe a different holiday. You may encourage teamwork and accomplish goals by being open-minded and appreciating team accomplishments.
Clarity in goals and expectations is crucial for any team, but especially so for a diverse one. Ensure that everyone understands what is expected of them and how their work contributes to the team's objectives. This clarity helps to minimize misunderstandings and aligns the team towards common goals. Regularly revisit and communicate these goals to keep everyone on the same page and to reinforce the value of each team member's role in achieving them.
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Clint McWhinnie
Operations Manager, creating amazing guest experiences.
A diverse team, is a team that doesn't need managing. I find that the more diverse a team is, the better they work together, they ask questions, they help each other. I also find that having a diverse, multicultural team attracts a wider range of customers, creating a safe space for many.
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Gaurav Jadhav, CAPM®
CAPM® Certified Project Manager | Business Analyst | SAP FICO | MBA FM
Establish clear, achievable goals and ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Clear objectives help align the team’s efforts and foster unity.
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Paul Barrett
Commercial cleaning - Hampshire & Sussex | Office Cleaning, School Cleaning, Medical Practice Cleaning, Showroom Cleaning | Helping premises managers keep their workplace clean and people happy | GPS tracked shifts.
Goals must be written - not verbal to avoid misunderstanding. Make these goals clear and with clear timescales, to ensure every member of the team is aware of timescales and desired outcomes - both as a team, and as individuals.
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Dayna Powell
I guide business owners from chaos to precision in strategic project management, Do less and achieve more with high-quality systems and processes proven to save you 5-10 hrs/week. Reach out today!⬇️
Clear goals are essential for effectively managing a diverse team. Clearly communicate the team's objectives, expectations, and key performance indicators. Ensure that each team member understands how their individual contributions align with the overall goals. Provide regular feedback and guidance to help team members stay on track and make adjustments as needed.
Open and effective communication is the lifeblood of managing a diverse team. Encourage an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. Provide various channels for communication that cater to different preferences, whether it's face-to-face meetings, emails, or collaborative platforms. Remember, the goal is to create a space where everyone can contribute and feel heard, fostering a sense of belonging and engagement.
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Dayna Powell
I guide business owners from chaos to precision in strategic project management, Do less and achieve more with high-quality systems and processes proven to save you 5-10 hrs/week. Reach out today!⬇️
Effective communication is the cornerstone of managing a diverse team. Encourage open and honest communication among team members, creating a safe space for sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback. Foster a culture where active listening is valued, and everyone's voice is heard. Use various communication channels, such as team meetings, one-on-one discussions, and digital platforms, to ensure that information flows smoothly.
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Arvind N Shukla
Top Business Management Voice/PMP®/CSM®/Automation Team Lead /Airport Baggage Handling/ Warehouse Automation/ Aviation/Technical Project Manager/ Engineering/Product Development/ R&D
It is really challenging to manage diverse team. ALL team member should be aware of each other cultural differences. If they are not aware then best way is to have small couple of meeting to make them aware about each other culture and differences. This will help team to collaborate nicly and team will work with single goal to achieve target
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Enrique Alfonso Ramos
CEO at VLC Host, CoCEO & COO at VLC Invest and CEO at Emprendiendo el Rumbo
Communication is essential for effectively leading any team, especially diverse ones. Clear and effective communication facilitates mutual understanding, promotes collaboration, and fosters an environment of trust and respect. In diverse teams, proper communication helps overcome cultural and language barriers, ensuring all members feel included and valued. It also enables more efficient conflict management and more informed, balanced decision-making. In summary, communication is crucial for maximizing the benefits of diversity and achieving the team's common goals.
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Paul Barrett
Commercial cleaning - Hampshire & Sussex | Office Cleaning, School Cleaning, Medical Practice Cleaning, Showroom Cleaning | Helping premises managers keep their workplace clean and people happy | GPS tracked shifts.
Promote regular contact and meetings with all members of the team, to open channels of open and effective communication, where everyone feels they have an equal opportunity to speak and be heard.
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Gaurav Jadhav, CAPM®
CAPM® Certified Project Manager | Business Analyst | SAP FICO | MBA FM
Promote open and respectful communication. Encourage team members to share their ideas and listen actively to each other, which helps build trust and mutual respect.
Offering training and development opportunities is vital for equipping your team with the skills to work effectively in a diverse environment. This might include workshops on cultural competency, conflict resolution, or communication skills. Training helps to break down barriers and misconceptions, equipping team members with the tools they need to understand and collaborate with one another more effectively.
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Aysegul (June) Bilirgen, PMP®
There are some diversity trainings that analyze each personality and their strong skills. So, this kind of trainings allow teams to think that each personality has different benefit for the team. It’s important for them to feel that how valuable their strong skills for the team
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Paul Barrett
Commercial cleaning - Hampshire & Sussex | Office Cleaning, School Cleaning, Medical Practice Cleaning, Showroom Cleaning | Helping premises managers keep their workplace clean and people happy | GPS tracked shifts.
Training around diversity can provide useful insights for employees that have perhaps not previously worked in a diverse workplace. This can help break down any potential barriers, and give employees to communicate effectively, without the fear of saying something inappropriate and offending someone.
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Gaurav Jadhav, CAPM®
CAPM® Certified Project Manager | Business Analyst | SAP FICO | MBA FM
Offer diversity training and professional development opportunities to help team members understand and appreciate cultural differences. This can improve teamwork and reduce misunderstandings.
Encouraging collaboration among team members can help to break down silos and build intercultural relationships. Create projects or tasks that require joint effort and cross-functional teamwork. By doing so, you encourage your team members to learn from each other's strengths and work styles, fostering a more cohesive and innovative team dynamic.
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Paul Barrett
Commercial cleaning - Hampshire & Sussex | Office Cleaning, School Cleaning, Medical Practice Cleaning, Showroom Cleaning | Helping premises managers keep their workplace clean and people happy | GPS tracked shifts.
Encourage weekly meetings - where EVERYONE is given equal time and opportunities to speak. Involve as many team members in projects and new tasks as possible, to encourage collaboration.
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Aysegul (June) Bilirgen, PMP®
It’s key to encourage them to speak up. If they feel that there is no judgment, no dump idea, they will fell more comfortable to speak up. In team meetings, if some people always keep silence, manager can ask their opinion by calling their name. When they share their idea for the first time, if the manager appreciates their ideas, they would feel courageous.
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Arvind N Shukla
Top Business Management Voice/PMP®/CSM®/Automation Team Lead /Airport Baggage Handling/ Warehouse Automation/ Aviation/Technical Project Manager/ Engineering/Product Development/ R&D
Top mangement/ line mangement should be committed to embracing a diverse, inclusive and flexible work environment. Their aim to attract and retain the best people and embrace diversity of age, background, caste, disability, ethnic origin, family duties, gender orientation or expression, gender reassignment, marital status, nationality, parental status, personal or social status, political affiliation, race, religion and beliefs, sex/gender, sexual orientation or expression, skin color, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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Arvind N Shukla
Top Business Management Voice/PMP®/CSM®/Automation Team Lead /Airport Baggage Handling/ Warehouse Automation/ Aviation/Technical Project Manager/ Engineering/Product Development/ R&D
To Encourage collaboration among team member, It is advisable to assign common goal/task and use Scrum meeting for daily coordination. In this way all team member know where are they to achieve task. They can share idea and help each other.
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Gaurav Jadhav, CAPM®
CAPM® Certified Project Manager | Business Analyst | SAP FICO | MBA FM
Create opportunities for team members to work together on projects. Collaborative efforts can enhance creativity and innovation by combining diverse perspectives.
Finally, supporting flexibility in work arrangements can be particularly beneficial for a diverse team. Recognize that team members may have different needs and preferences based on their cultural backgrounds, family responsibilities, or personal circumstances. By accommodating these differences through flexible scheduling, remote work options, or customized workspaces, you demonstrate a commitment to an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
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Arvind N Shukla
Top Business Management Voice/PMP®/CSM®/Automation Team Lead /Airport Baggage Handling/ Warehouse Automation/ Aviation/Technical Project Manager/ Engineering/Product Development/ R&D
Companies should be committed to hybrid work, which includes the flexibility of working remotely and the collaboration, connections and professional development benefits of working together in the office. All colleagues are expected to be in their local office or working onsite with clients at least three days per week. Office-based teams will identify at least one ,anchor day, per week on which their full team will be together in person
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Gaurav Jadhav, CAPM®
CAPM® Certified Project Manager | Business Analyst | SAP FICO | MBA FM
Be adaptable in your management style and provide flexible working arrangements when possible. This helps accommodate different needs and work styles.
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Lakshmi Prasad J
Top Business Management Voice | Vice President, Global Banking, HSBC | Ex-Deutsche Bank Capital Markets & Treasury Solutions | Ex-Moody’s Analytics | Ex-UBS Investment Bank
1. Active listening’ is crucial in managing diverse teams as non-verbal cues occupy as much importance as verbal communication. 2. Always care to check in how each group of individuals (or each individual) would approach a situation and share your assessment of the effectiveness thereof in fulfilling the set goals and be open to feedback. 3. One can always coach where required based on one’s own experience in the given field but by being open to taking calculated risks one can discover new ways of doing things as well as encourage distributed leadership and collaborative decision making. 4. Lastly, be guided by the Rg Vedic ideal , 'ānō bhadra: krtavō yantu viśwata:’ (Meaning: Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions)
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Elizabeth Cantoran
Director Regional de Operaciones en Human Talent Nexus
La diversidad dentro de los equipos de trabajo siempre van a enriquecer. Es necesario comunicar de manera clara los objetivos de cada uno, así como los objetivos del equipo en conjunto. También es relevante conocer las fortalezas y áreas de oportunidad de cada elemento, para propiciar que el equipo se convierta en uno de alto desempeño y no en uno dividido.
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David E Merino Téllez
CONCANACO SERVYTUR Cibersecurity and Risks Prevention Vicepresident and Compliance Officer. Technolawyer. CONAHCYT Advisor. General Coordinator GIAO LXIV and Cibersecurity Group Member LXV Mexican Chamber of Deputies.
Hay que entender las diferencias y las similitudes de los integrantes de nuestro equipo de trabajo, también el hacerles ver qué la finalidad es el crecimiento y desarrollo en conjunto y el aprendizaje continúo tanto técnico como humano. Valorar las experiencias de cada uno porque una de las grandes fortalezas que pueden tener es que las ser diferentes en muchos aspectos, pueden aprender unos de otros y generar procesos y técnicas nuevas.
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Rogerio Gomes
Business and Sales Management | Leadership
Communication is complex almost everywhere. Usually, in any human relationship, there's a difference between what has been said and what has been understood, due to the difference of perceptions, education, backgrounds. So this also happens in companies, with a diverse team. Aligning the "language" spoken in the work place is a very important step in any organization. The way things "can" be said, how and when they are welcomed, it changes a lot the outcome in the communication process.
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