Learn PMP through Webinar recording on 'Tips For Managing A Diverse Project Team' led by Mr. Simone M. Yarber, Program Manager, Hewlett-Packard

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Tips for Managing a Diverse
Project Team
Presenter: Simone M. Yarber, PMP
Wednesday, April 23, 2014 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

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Agenda
Key Takeaways
• What is diversity? Why you should care.
• The importance of knowing your team
• Facing barriers/challenges/ conflict mgmt
techniques
• Collaborating effectively for success

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Let’s talk diversity.
• Can you describe what a diverse team looks like?
• What kinds of teams do you work on currently?
• What are some of your team challenges as it
relates to diversity?
• Does your team openly discuss diversity? Does
your team openly discuss differences & embrace
them? If not, why not?
• Do you think it would be a benefit to your
organization and team? If so, why?

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What is diversity?
Diversity exists when:
• Groups of people (resources) bring together their
own unique backgrounds and experiences to an
organization or workplace.
Managing diversity involves:
• Utilizing resources and experiences for the
benefit of the organization.

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Reflection Exercise:
Am I managing a diverse project team?
• How does my organization support diversity?
• Am I currently managing diversity for the
benefit of the organization?
• Are my resources utilized to the best of their
skill level potential?
• Lastly, How can I make the work environment
comfortable for everyone?

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Importance of knowing your team
It’s a great idea to get to know your team.
• The success and failure of an organization depends on its
employees.
• Managers should take time to listen to their employees
needs and make their employees feel valued.
• To know your people, start with effective communication
on a regular basis.

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Facing barriers/challenges
Managing across nationalities and cultures –
differences which may cause challenges
• Language & Cultural differences
– Direct vs Indirect
– Perception of time
– Perception of hierarchy
– Perception of individual vs collective
• Age Related Prejudices
– ie: baby boomers vs millennials

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Managing conflicts within your team
Tips on resolving workplace conflicts
1. Identify the root of the problem and clarify each party’s
position to avoid ambiguity
2. Facilitate understanding of the other party
3. Involve a neutral mediator
4. Commit to the solution
5. Resolve conflict quickly

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Tips to build team harmony
Do’s
• DO:
 Focus on similarities and
common goals
 Make friendships and help
one another
 Have an open mind
 Open communication
Don’ts
• DON’T:
 Allow your emotions to affect
how you behave
 Be certain that everyone
thinks like you
 Give up when there is a
conflict

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Techniques you can use today!
8 Things you can do today to build a more inclusive and harmonious
workplace
1. Get to know someone at work that you don’t know well
2. Ask questions if you are unsure about what a colleague is saying (ie: When you say this,
do you mean…”)
3. Try rephrasing your question, use non-verbal cues (ie: hand signals) or other forms of
communication
4. Be patient when talking with colleagues, especially those with a different mother tongue
5. Do not make jokes about other nationalities, race, cultures, or age which may upset your
colleagues
6. Ask other colleagues to provide feedback on your work
7. Keep an open mind, even when someone offers a different opinion
8. If you notice a colleague being disrespectful towards another, inform him/her gently that
his/her behavior is not appropriate.

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Tips and strategies
How to be a more inclusive manager
1. Respect differences. Value the uniqueness.
2. Keep an open mind.
3. Build self-awareness.
4. Get to know your team members on an individual level.
5. Acknowledge differences in communication styles and
languages.
6. Make decisions based on team members’ abilities and
task specifications.

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Tips and strategies
Building a culture of inclusiveness within your team
1. Focus on common goals.
2. Remove “us” and “them”.
3. Communicate to your team members the importance of sustaining an inclusive
culture.
4. Emphasize behavioral expectations that are likely to foster an inclusive
environment.
5. Recruit with inclusive values and behavior in mind.
6. Orientate new team members
7. Seek out perspectives of team members of different perspectives
8. Address biases and intolerable behavior promptly
9. Provide opportunities for employees to increase understanding and interaction
with each other

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Reflection Exercise:
How well does your team work together?
1. Level of communication and interaction
 How effectively and frequently do your team members communicate with one another?
 Do conflicts and misunderstandings occur often?
2. Level of collaboration
 Do you notice cliques, within your team?
3. Mutual care and support
 Do team members treat one another with respect?
4. Team morale
 Are team members energized about coming to work?
Do they appear to enjoy working together?

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Summary
Top things to keep in mind in managing diverse teams:
• Become a more inclusive manager in your behaviors
and decisions
• Build a culture of inclusiveness within your team
• Both employees and managers must work together
to make that happen. Working together can ensure a
successful working relationship.

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References
References:
1. MANAGING WORKPLACE DIVERSITY - A toolkit for organisations
http://www.mom.gov.sg/Documents/employment-
practices/WDM/Workplace%20Diversity%20Management%20Tookit%20and%20Manager's
%20Guide.pdf (includes a “Diversity Management Assessment”)
2. How to Manage Diversity in the Workplace -- by Caroline Banton, Demand Media
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/manage-diversity-workplace-1091.html

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Thank You 