Diversity in

Teams
Team Building for Diverse Work
Groups
Chapters 7 & 8
 Chapter 7:
Reinforce Team Norms
All successful teams operate with a set
of norms
Norms can be positive or negative
Teams can add norms in their team
that are related to diversity
See pg. 76 for examples
Teams can also develop ground rules
More specific, in writing, formally adopted
See p. 78 for examples
 Ground Rules
Without full understanding of team
norms, a new member can offend
others without knowing it
Ground rules can help by making
norms explicit
Implementing ground rules calls for
special efforts by team members
 Team members should
Introduce ground rules in the orientation
process
Have the right to intervene in case of
infractions
Prepare to use learned skills to correct
violations
Get comfortable with new concepts
Post ground rules as constant reminders
Be encouraged to point out positive
examples of other members following the
ground rules (praise!)
 Diversity in Teams
Actions on behalf of diversity should
become an everyday habit
Successful teams are always on alert
for signs of reverting back to the old
ways
Initiate a type of self-policing
process
 Team Vision, Norms &
Ground Rules

Does your team have a team mission?

What is it?
Go to page 83
Answer questions 2, 3, 4 & 5

What are some ground rules that you

can develop around team diversity?
 Chapter 8: Summary
Four key factors:
1. Building diversity awareness
2. Understanding diversity issues within
the team
3. Develop skills that make a difference
4. Reinforce the team norms
 Summary
Through self-assessment & team analysis,
You found areas where cultural barriers
impaired team performance
By building awareness,
You recognized what is important to you as an
individual: your values, perceptions &
expectations
By understanding the forces impacting a
diverse team,
You understood the part that values,
perceptions & expectations play in team
performance
 Summary
By developing strategic communication skills,
You built & strengthened relationships by focusing
on the message (not the messenger), showing
interest in the other person, & checking for
understanding
By checking assumptions,
You learned that some of your assumptions may
not be true
By using the conflict resolution model,
You managed conflicts with team members
By reinforcing team norms,
You can concentrate on basic standards of conduct