Running head: TEAM BUILDING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION FOR DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Team Building and Conflict Resolution for Diversity in the Workplace Group 2 October 23, 2014 SP 2750: Project Part 2

The Value of Diversity in Teams Regardless of the type of business, business size or job position, in today’s ever changing and expanding business world, diversity is present. The value of diversity in teams is not understood by many. Many may believe that too much diversity within a team or workgroup may cause conflict, but the truth is, with a bit of research; diversity in teams enriches and improves decision making and the other overall performance of a team. I will be discussing the value of diversity in teams and workgroups, identifying the reasons why diversity works and the invaluable benefits and advantages it provides when applied within a team or workgroup. Turning a group into a team is not an easy task for any manager or leader, and with the challenge of diversity in the workplace, many managers cringe at the idea of forming teams. It is a difficult task, but understanding how diversity doesn’t make the job harder- but easier, helps tremendously. “Recent research efforts have focused on explaining how differences among team members impact both team process and outcomes.” (e.g. Milliken & Martins, 1996). Variety, creativity, and enriched discussions are just some of the few advantages that a well formed, diversified team will experience. A team with one personality type, “members of a team all of whom share the same personality profile” (Bell & Smith, 2003), may cause more harm than good. A team must have balance. “Balance in the membership of a team gives the company the differing perspectives of several