A good team, whether involved in a productive idea generation session, or executing a well-planned project, benefits from diversity. Diversity in the workplace is the ideal. Or so we have been told.
The word “diversity” has the same root as the word “division.” A diverse group consists of “unlikeness” and points of difference. A team, however, is two or more people working together. Given this, diversity in and of itself does not produce a successful team. Something else is needed.
For diversity to be dynamic, team members must:
- understand the value of the differences each member brings to the team
- appreciate how those differences benefit the goals and work of the team
- cooperate with their team mates to ensure that differences are respected and expressed
- discuss openly any grievances around difference.
And something else must be in place. Great teams have great purpose. Without a brilliant common purpose the effort that is involved in executing the points above may not be worth it. There has to be value in being part of a team.