SCS DEI Update
Sep. 3, 2021
Creating Diverse Teams That Are Poised for Success
The desire to create inclusive environments continues to grow within organizations. Yet, there are few resources on racial diversity and teamwork. Work on the effects of similarity/attraction and social categorization theory shows that individuals who are more different from a group report less teamwork.
However, there are important differences that are not predicted by these theories. For example, whites, but not minorities, report higher levels of teamwork when in ethnically diverse groups. Men in female-dominated groups also report higher levels of teamwork. Further analysis reveals that effects of diversity on teamwork, whether positive or negative, depend on the composition of the group. Being a “minority” may be as much a function of the group’s context as one’s demographic characteristics.
Nevertheless, the perception of being a minority results in feelings of a lack of authenticity. This can result in discomfort around sharing information, experiences or ideas, which can be detrimental to both individuals and groups. This is because we are less likely to share information about ourselves when we believe that it highlights our differences. Withholding comes with cognitive and emotional costs, distracting from the team’s task at hand and impeding close relationships among teammates.
How can we operationalize these ideas in the formation of diverse teams that are poised for success? Here are a few thoughts:
- Reconsider what diversity means in team composition. We cannot pretend that race and gender differences do not exist. Rather, we should go beyond observable attributes such as gender identity and race to include unobservable attributes like personality and values. These should be considered when constructing teams and identifying team leaders.
- Uncover common ground, and uncover differences. Listening and sharing play an important role in team success. Find ways to hear and honor contributions and ideas from people who are different from ourselves. Recent research shows that these contributions are attended to and deemed to be more creative. However, these realizations cannot occur if differences are not revealed in the first place.
Considering these factors in team construction and identification of leadership can enhance teamwork, and help to reach an organization’s goals in diverse and equitable ways.
Conference Sponsorship and Graduate Career Fair Recruiting
Our first sponsored conference and career fair is around the corner. We have students, staff and faculty attending the Richard Tapia Celebration of Diversity in Computing Virtual Conference September 14-18. We were able to provide 20 conference registrations for students, faculty or DEI committee members with an additional six registrations for recruiting staff as part of our Academic Gold sponsorship.
Take a moment to look at information we are providing via a new SCS Graduate Recruiting webpage that is a centralized location for attendees and volunteers to access information for each of the conferences we are sponsoring this fall.
We have also provided a means to upload marketing materials from our graduate programs that we can then share with conference attendees. Be sure to bookmark the link and consider organizing a Zoom room to meet with prospective applicants to discuss degrees, research and admissions concerns they have at each of the upcoming conferences.
Announcements
For students: Please hold Mondays from 4:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. for SCS4All and Women@SCS meetings. Meetings will be held in 4405 Gates Hall (no meeting this Monday, due to Labor Day).
For students: The SCS DEI office will be expanding to include a small group of student advisors. Our goal is to create more opportunities for communication and interaction with the SCS DEI office, recognizing that it is often easier for students to talk to other students. Use this form to nominate a peer or yourself.
For faculty: The Tartan Scholars are looking for mentors for this academic year. Email Branden Ballard in the Tartan Scholars office for more information.
Thank you,
The DEI Team
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/dei/
SCS-dei@cs.cmu.edu