Diversity, Inclusion & Teamworking

Question 1

What are some types of teams?

Answer 1

Office Teams.
Project Teams.
Accounts Teams.
Design Teams.

Question 2

What are some examples of Team Working you have demonstrated?

Answer 2

Worked together in a team to produce a cost plan for a large scale development.
The sub elements were separated between the team members, with one team member assigned the task of measuring the steel frame as they had dealt with this on numerous occasions before.
We had a set date for completion and we all worked towards hitting this date. If anyone finished their sections early, they assisted elsewhere.

Question 3

What is the Tuckman Theory?

Answer 3

Bruce Tuckman’s theory focuses on how a team approaches a task.
Originally the theory consisted of 4 separate phases however later on a 5th phase was included.
Forming - Specification of common goals and desired behaviour
Storming - Conflicts and negotiation
Norming - Consensus and team spirit
Performing - Finding the balance of compliance and deviance
Adjourning - Feedback and dispersion

Question 4

What is the Herzberg Theory?

Answer 4

Frederick Herzberg’s theory is a two factor motivational theory based on hygiene and motivational factors:-
Workers are encouraged to work harder based on motivational factors such as empowerment, job enlargement and job enrichment.
Workers can become de-motivated if hygiene factors are not met such as remuneration, comfortable working conditions and annual leave entitlement.

Question 5

Why is diversity important in a team?

Answer 5

Wider experiences and cultures - all learn together therefore better product / service.
Different individuals have different skills - providing for a better overall ability and service.
Better morale.

Question 6

What is workplace diversity?

Answer 6

Diversity in the workplace relates to the acceptance and inclusion of employees of all backgrounds.
Ensuring diversity in the workplace is an important asset of an organisation as it acknowledges the individual strengths of each employee and the potential they bring.
Gender, race. ethnicity, age, sexuality, language, educational etc.

Question 7

What are some advantages of a diverse team?

Answer 7

Increased productivity - diversity of skills, ideas and new ways of thinking.
Increased creativity - Different skills increasing the chances of solutions.
Improved cultural awareness - Different backgrounds bring different experiences and allows companies to operate more effectively in a global market.
A positive reputation - Diverse workforces add to employer brand and company culture. Perceived as better employees.

Question 8

What is unconscious Bias?

Answer 8

The associations we hold, outside our conscious awareness that effect our judgement.

Question 9

What types of stereotype are there?

Answer 9

Affinity - when you share qualities.
Conformity - views swayed by others & seek acceptance.
Beauty - Based on the way someone looks.
Confirmation - Searching for something to confirm a pre-determined opinion.
Gender - preference over one gender than the other.
Halo - focus on one positive feature.
Horns - focus on one negative feature.

Question 10

How do you over come unconscious bias?

Answer 10

Judge individuals on own merits.
Take time during decision making.
Write down opinions to ensure awareness.
Include a variety of people in decision making.

Question 11

What is the difference between diversity & inclusion?

Answer 11

Diversity – the characteristics and things that make us all different.
Inclusion – is making everyone feel welcome.

Question 12

What is RACI in teamworking:

Answer 12

Roles & responsibilities in teams & for projects

Responsible: The person in charge of the process.
Accountable: The responsible person to report to and who must sign off on decisions. NB: Occasionally A is taken to mean ‘Assists’, that is, someone who assists the responsible person.
Consulted: People who will be involved in discussions about the process.
Informed: People who will need to be told about the process.

Question 13

What is Belbin Teamworking?

Answer 13

Developed in 1981, to be used as a tool to support team building.
There are 9 roles shared between action, people orientated and cerebral roles. Roles include:
Shaper
Implementer
Completer
Coordinator
Team worker
Resource investigator
Plant
Monitor evaluator
Specialist.

Question 14

What current challenges is Covid and/or Brexit bringing to Teamworking?

Answer 14

Disjointed , not face to face meeting, limited connection and meetings.

Question 15

What is the RICS inclusive employer mark?

Answer 15

The Inclusive Employer Quality Mark aims to drive behaviour change by encouraging all organisations, large and small, to look carefully at their employment practices and have inclusivity at the heart of what they do.

Question 16

What Belbin type are you ? What are your characteristics ?

Answer 16

I am a shaper. I am dynamic and I thrive on pressure.

Question 17

What is teamworking ?

Answer 17

Teamwork is the collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal or to complete a task in the most effective and efficient way.

Question 18

What is diversity ?

Answer 18

The practice or quality of including or involving people with a range of different characteristics.

Question 19

What is inclusion ?

Answer 19

The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded. Can contribute fully to a company’s success.

Question 20

What skills have you got that contribute to teamworking?

Answer 20

I am organised and review regularly to ensure progress and identify and obstacles.
I am approachable, open and honest and communicate effectively with my team members.

Question 21

Give me some examples of how you promote team working?

Answer 21

Regular meetings
An understand of view points
An open and honest approach
Allowing all parties to input and contribute

Question 22

When a new member joins your team, how do you welcome them?

Answer 22

Initial meeting and briefing, define lines of communication, allow suitable access to data to get up to speed.

Question 23

What do you think makes a successful team?

Answer 23

Having mutual respect
Common and aligned goals
Open communication
Range of skills and personal styles

Question 24

Can you explain what equal opportunity is?

Answer 24

Ensuring everybody has an equal chance to take up opportunities and to make full use of the opportunities on offer and to fulful their potential.

Question 25

Can you explain what equal opportunity is?

Answer 25

Ensuring everybody has an equal chance to take up opportunities and to make full use of the opportunities on offer and to fulfil their potential.

Question 26

What are the benefits of teamworking?

Answer 26

Shared workload
Improved productivity
Improved quality
Utilisation of different skillsets

Question 27

How would you select the right people to join your team?

Answer 27

Understand the task and identify the skills and experience required.
Review existing team members to understand the skills and experience they already have.
Select new team members to fill the shortfall.

Question 28

How would you deal with an inexperienced team member?

Answer 28

Provide encouragement and motivation.
Draw up a plan to strengthen their weaknesses.
Provide support.

Question 29

How do you promote open discussions in your team?

Answer 29

Create a calm and relaxed environment during meetings to make people feel welcome.
Promote that there are no silly questions.
Encourage involvement.

Question 30

Why might a team fail?

Answer 30

Poor selection of team members that do not meet skills required.
Inadequate resource or poor leadership.

Question 31

What is the difference between leadership and management in teamwork?

Answer 31

Leadership - Setting a new direction or vision for the group.
Management - Controlling or directing people in a group according to the established vision.

Question 32

What is meant by team dynamics?

Answer 32

The behavioural relationships between the members of a group. How they interact, communicate and cooperate.

Question 33

How can you improve team dynamics?

Answer 33

Know your team and what motivates them.
Tackle problems quickly.
Define roles and responsibilities.

Question 34

L1 - How do different industries impact on teamwork?

Answer 34

They provide different ways of working and different skillsets that contribute to a successful team.

Question 35

L1 - What have you learned about teamwork?

Answer 35

Teamwork leads to increased productivity, as well as offering differing views which contribute to the success of a project.

Question 36

L1 - How do you encourage teamwork?

Answer 36

Regular meetings
An understanding of different view points
An open and honest approach
Allowing all parties to input and contribute

Question 37

L1 - How do you decide what skills are necessary to make up a team?

Answer 37

I would look at the project requirements and identify what skills are required to contribute to success.
Review existing team members to understand the skills and experience they already have.
Select new team members to fill the shortfall.

Question 38

L1 - What is a strategic alliance?

Answer 38

An arrangement between two companies to undertake a mutually beneficial project while each retains its independence.

Question 39

L1 - What are the essential components of a successful team?

Answer 39

Having mutual respect
Common and aligned goals
Open communication
Range of skills and personal styles

Question 40

L1 - How would you go about managing and underperforming team member?

Answer 40

I would set up a team meeting to address the issues that they were having.
Provide support and identify weaknesses that they can improve on.
Motivate and encourage to contribute.

Question 41

L1 - How do you seek to bring out the best in your team?

Answer 41

Provide encouragement and motivation.
Have common and aligned goals.
Have open lines of communication.
Have mutual respect.

Question 42

L1 - What factors would you consider when selecting a project team?

Answer 42

Understand the task and identify the skills and experience required.
Review existing team members to understand the skills and experience they already have.
Select new team members to fill the shortfall.

Question 43

L1 - What current challenges is Covid and/or Brexit bringing to Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking?

Answer 43

Disjointed , not face to face meeting, limited connection and meetings.

Question 44

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 44

Maslow’s theory states that our actions are motivated by certain physiological and psychological needs that progress from basic to complex.
Physiological Needs - Those that are vital to survival i.e. food, water
Security and Safety Needs - Control and order in their lives i.e. financial security, health and wellness
Social Needs - Need for emotional relationships drives human behaviour i.e. friendships, romance
Esteem Needs - Need for appreciation and respect
Self-Actualisation Needs - People are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested in fulfilling their potential.