Conflict & Diversity Training for Managing Diversity

Conflict arises when there's a lack of cultural understanding.

Diversity training is used in a place of work to help increase cultural awareness. Because of stereotypes and cultural differences among staff, there is room for conflict to take place. When a manager has a better understanding of how to handle diversity and conflict, the team's performance will improve and be more creative and responsive to leadership.

Awareness

When beginning a training program centered on conflict and diversity, managers will learn the meaning of diversity, identify their feelings surrounding the topic and will learn the value of implementing it in the workplace. When diversity awareness is increased, team communication will be improved along with interpersonal relationships.

Cultural Competency

Cultural competency training is not only about diversity awareness, but its application while using strategies provided along with the tools to make innovative changes as well. There are 6 levels of cultural and organizational challenges when diversity and conflict are considered: national or societal, social identity, organizational (the culture of each business), functional (the culture of each department in a business), team and individual. When managers learn to really look at a culture within the workplace, risk of conflict is reduced and performance is maximized.

Inclusive Environment

Inclusiveness is making room for everyone in a place of work; thus differentiating between a workplace that is just simply diverse to being a workplace that values diversity. Managers must learn to implement strategies and tools to help create an environment that is welcoming to all.

Understanding

Training about issues surrounding race, racial identity and racism will help trainees have a better perspective about these topics so they can have a better understanding as to why diversity is important for a place of business. As a result, managers can work more productively with members of their team and clients, and teach team members to do the same.

Avoiding Conflict

Communication training in a diverse workplace helps managers know how to approach difficult conversations in a professional manner, how to be sensitive to cultural difference and politically correct, and recognize when policy changes surrounding this issue need to be made.

Rewards

When diverse teams are managed correctly, a manager is more efficient and effective. According to Professor Michael Bird of DeVry University in Mirimar, Florida, this is because the differences between members are seen as an opportunity to build a strong skill base. As a result, teams will feel more satisfied overall, have less conflicts and better member retention. Effective managers also encourage flexibility, innovation and creativity within a team so new ideas can be better formed and challenges tackled efficiently.

References

• Penn State: An Overview of Diversity Awareness
• PACT Training: Designing Effective Workforce Diversity Training Programs
• Africa-Dreams.com: Workplace Diversity Training, Teambuilding & Diversity Management that Works!
• Professor Michael Bird Official Website: Improving Project Productivity with Diverse Membership