M11 - Diversity, Inclusion and Teamworking

Question 1

What in your opinion are three key characteristics of a good team?

Answer 1

• Clear communication
• Balanced participation
• Positive atmosphere

Question 2

They might ask you about Belbin team structure as a tricky question, so look it up. And maybe even do the test to figure out which one of the types you are

Answer 2

• 9 team roles
• I would classify myself as a ‘Teamworker - co-operative, mild, perceptive, diplomatic; listens, builds, averts friction’

Question 3

How would you deal with an inexperienced or less competent team member?

Answer 3

• Inform Line Manager on how best to approach issue
• Give constructive feedback
• Provide encouragement
• Draw up plan to strengthen their areas of weakness

Question 4

What do you do if a team member fails to perform a task?

Answer 4

• Inform Line Manager on how best to approach issue
• Find out why the task was not completed and analyse. Were they the right person for the task?
• Give constructive feedback and monitor future performance
• Provide encouragement

Question 5

What is diversity, inclusion and teamworking?

Answer 5

• It deals with how team members interact, their behaviour and communication
• It also looks at how to build a diverse and inclusive team and the resulting benefits for both the individual and the team

Question 6

What other things should be considered?

Answer 6

• Diversity - importance and business value
• Partnering and collaborative working
• Diversity and inclusion policies, e.g. non-discrimination and anti-harrassment
• Unconscious bias
• Gender pay gap

Question 7

What regulations pertain to this?

Answer 7

• Equality Act 2010 - Protected characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity

Question 8

What are the factors that affect team effectiveness?

Answer 8

• Number of people;
• Knowledge on Topic
• Characteristics
• Skills
• Feedback
• Leadership
• Trust

Question 9

How do you promote open discussions?

Answer 9

• Create a calm / relaxed environment during meetings / workshops to make people feel welcome, significant and at ease
• Encourage involvement for all parties – doing a ‘round the table’ for every item on the agenda
• Challenge individuals views to encourage discussion and to get all opinions out in the open