Making the most out of diversity with…

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Overview

1. Introduction to the Diversity Icebreaker (DI) concept

2. Classical DI seminar

3. The effectiveness of DI

4. Advantages of using DI in your company

5. Behind the DI – Human Factors AS Norway

Introduction to the DI concept • Diversity Icebreaker is a unique concept for

communication preferences, different than other classical tools: DI is rapid, unifying and making an active use of humour

• Blue (task), Red (relational) and Green (change oriented)• Social construction in the seminar as a bottom-up process

1. QuestionnaireMapping the social categories

2. SeminarConstructing the common

understanding through participant involvement in behavioural, intellectual andemotional processes

Introduction to the DI concept

• Easy to use

• Easy to understand

• Scientifically valid and reliable

• Egalitarian and complementary categories

• Instantly triggers humor and enthusiasm

• Gives a balanced model for interaction

Classical DI seminar

• DI is used in groups, organizations and conferences

• Classical DI: short seminar format of approx. 1-2 hours

• Four subsequent stages of the seminar:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Filling in and scoring the questionnaire

Dividing participants into three groups

Group presentations

Open discussion and learning process

Classical DI seminar

Stage 1: Filling in and scoring• Clarification of the reasons for using

the Diversity Icebreaker (depending on the seminar context)

• Facilitation of filling out and scoring the questionnaire

Stage 2: Dividing participants into three even groups• Different ways of doing it

“What are the qualities of your own colour in interaction with others?”

“What are the qualities of the two other groups, separately described?”

Classical DI seminar

(if there happen to be participants assigned to groups other than their predominant colour, encourage them to use their flexibility to act in line with their secondary

Classical DI seminar

Stage 3: Group presentations• Presentation of the characteristics of each colour (one at a

time)• Actor-Observer perspective• Feeling of in-group cohesion• Active use of humour• Facilitator brings focus into a

relevant theoretical perspective ( [area of current application])

Classical DI seminar

Stage 4: Learning process• Collective discussion on “What have we learned?”

One can contribute differently in different stages of the process.

Your difference is my challenge.

Positive expectations of good dialogues.

Categories are complementary and egalitarian. It’s OK to be different if

uniqueness is perceived positively by others.

No uniqueness is better and more powerful than another.

We have created our own language.

We better understood the group dynamics.

People are different, in different situations.

Classical DI seminarResults:

• Generates curiosity about one’s personal view-points and those held by the others

• The participants develop new knowledge about themselves and others through a high-quality dialogue and direct involvement

• The concepts of Red, Blue and Green contribute to a mutual recognition of differences, providing a positive learning process that the participants will remember for a long time

Flexibility:

• the universal questionnaire and seminar models open opportunities for the process to be led in many different directions

• DI adapts to your organization’s specific needs, current situation and members, bringing tailor-made improvements

The effectiveness of DI• Improves communication and dialogue

• Fosters flexibility and creativity

• Boosts trust and expectancy of being respected

• Enhances self-awareness

• Facilitates social interaction through better understanding of the other

• Brings in the appreciation of differences and positive evaluation of each other

• Introduces constructive group dynamics

The effectiveness of DI• Promotes curiosity of the other and willingness to listen

• Helps with conflict resolution

• Brings in a common understanding of interpersonal concepts

• Draws on the culture of diversity and encourages people to share more of their unique background and perspectives

• Creates psychological safety for experimental learning

• Gives feedback

Advantages of using DI in your organizationTEAM, PROJECT WORK AND INNOVATION

Awareness of different roles in the teamEstablishes an expectancy of positive acknowledgement of uniquenessShared understanding and trustKnowledge of various type of contribution of people with different colours in different stages

Smooth, complementary teamwork More open and trustful communication Better management of effective and creativity processes

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Advantages of using DI in your organizationCOMMUNICATION TRAINING CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Better understanding of different communicational preferences through Red, Blue and Green categoriesOpen, precise and unconstrained communication

Less conflicts and more cooperation: things are being done faster and better in your organizationFacilitated feedback

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Advantages of using DI in your organizationKICK-OFFS

Development of shared language and understanding from the very beginning of being togetherUnforgettable collective experience of joy

Shorter time to reach a full working capacity of a new project teamGreat base for developing a meaningful rapport between stakeholders and project team membersCreates a shared image of an attractive future of working together

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Advantages of using DI in your organization

DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

Diversity categories relevant for ways of treating information and relationshipsSafe environment promoting trust an openness

A shared language for managing diversity, making it easier to treat diversity resulting from professions, departments, gender, culture, etc.Creating a positive integrative culture

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Advantages of using DI in your organizationSELF UNDERSTANDING, LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Increased self-awareness and self-reflection through concepts of Red, Blue and Green

More conscious people oriented towards self-development and learning from social interactionLeaders with easy communicative understanding of the social interactions in their teams

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Advantages of using DI in your organizationCROSS-CULTURAL TRAINING CULTURAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Breaking of cultural barriers related to prejudicesA shared language of egalitarian and complementary qualities, going beyond cultural differences

Sustainable solutions to cultural conflicts in your organizationMore effective ways to manage international teams, mergers and acquisitions

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Behind the Diversity IcebreakerHuman Factors AS

• An international management consultant company specializing in teams, leadership, cultural diversity, communication, project leadership, and measurement instruments since 1993

• Practitioner as well as academically orientated.• Open Innovation Model• Openness and Generosity – the core values

• Red, Blue and Green established as categories for communication in 1995

• DI Questionnaire emerged in 1997, the version in use unchanged since 2005

• The classical seminar pattern emerged in 2003

Behind the Diversity IcebreakerHuman Factors AS – contact

Human Factors AS, Norway

www.human-factors.no

DiversityIcebreakerNetworkon LinkedIn

DiversityIcebreaker – Internationalon Facebook