Leading Diverse Teams for Competitive Advantage - An STC Workshop in Washington, DC.

Diversity refers to many different things. Race, gender, geographic origin, culture, age, disability, sexual orientation, economic status, marital status, and religion are just some of the characteristics that define us. Alternatively, diversity refers to people with differing professional backgrounds or personality styles.

Often, diverse teams are managed in a way that supports and maintains a spirit of clubbiness, of "in-groups" and "out-groups" and of "haves" and "have nots." For those in the "in crowd", there may be a sense of community and intimacy. For those in the "out crowd" however, there may be a sense of isolation, loneliness and even bitterness. Such a structure is not fully productive for everyone involved.

Why manage diverse teams for competitive advantage? To the extent to which the work community is enfranchising, employees are likely to feel more invested, more committed and more likely to try their best. Moreover, employees who feel a sense of community are more likely to enjoy working together. Lynn will discuss ways to manage your team members and foster inclusivity.

Dr. Lynn Friedman is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Bethesda, Maryland. She specializes in work/life consultation and psychotherapy. Lynn also leads work/life consultation groups, and is on the adjunct faculty in the Organizational Development-Human Resource program at Johns Hopkins University. Her homepage can be found at http://www.drlynnfriedman.com/



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