The Diversity Icebreaker® has gained a Norwegian seal of approval from one of the top three certification

bodies in the world. The tool is certified as a development tool used in workshops

Overview

1. Introduction to the Diversity Icebreaker (DI)

2. Classical DI seminar

3. The effectiveness of DI

4. Advantages of using DI in your company

5. Additional material

6. Behind DI – Human Factors AS Norway

Introduction to DI• 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)• Social construction in the seminar as a bottom-up process

1. QuestionnaireMapping the social categories

2. SeminarConstructing a common

understanding of one’s own and other’s viewpoints and experiences.

Introduction to DI

• Easy to use

• Easy to understand

• Scientifically valid and reliable

• Instantly triggers humor and enthusiasm

• The colours create a practical model for interaction

Classical DI seminar

• DI is used in groups, organizations and conferences

• Classical seminar: approx. 1-2 hours

• The seminar consists of 4 stages:

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: Facilitation of filling out the questionnaire

Any combination is possible as long as it adds up to a total of 6:

6-0-05-1-04-2-04-1-13-2-12-2-2

Classical DI seminar

Stage 1: Facilitation of scoring the result

Counting all the ticks for each colour

The total score of Blue + Red + Green=84

Stage 2: Dividing participants into three groups• To obtain groups of the same size one can encourage some of

the participants to join groups other than his/her dominant colour (use the secondary one)

“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

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 integrity• Active use of humour• Facilitator brings focus into a

relevant theoretical perspective

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 colour is better than another

We have created our own language

We better understood the group dynamics

People are different, in different situations

Classical DI seminar

• 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

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

• Introduces constructive group dynamics

The effectiveness of DI• Brings in a common understanding of concepts

• Creates psychological safety for experimental learning

• Helps with conflict resolution

• Promotes curiosity of the other and willingness to listen

• Enhances appreciation for the culture of diversity and sharing

• DI questionnaire is available in 19 languages

Advantages of using DI in your organization

• the Diversity Icebreaker model provides opportunities for the seminar to be led in different directions

• DI is adaptable to your organization’s specific needs, current situation and members

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

Awareness of different roles

Positive acknowledgement of differences

Shared understanding and trust

Smooth, complementary teamwork

More open and trustful communication

Better management of creativity processes

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Advantages of using DI in your organization

COMMUNICATION TRAINING CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

Better understanding of communicational preferences Open, precise and unrestricted communication

Less conflicts

More cooperation

Facilitated feedback

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Advantages of using DI in your organizationKICKOFF

Development of shared language and understandingUnforgettable collective experience of joy

More effective start of a new project team

Good start for a meaningful bond between stakeholders and project team members

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Advantages of using DI in your organization

DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT

Simple categories helping to deal with diversity

Safe environment promoting trust an openness

A shared language 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-reflectionSelf-awareness of communication and problem-solving preferences

Motivation for self-development and learning from social interactionLeaders understanding 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 A shared language going beyond cultural differences

Sustainable solutions to cultural conflicts

More effective ways to manage international teams, mergers and acquisitions

AREA OF APPLICATION

CHANGES IT BRINGS

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Additional materials

• Statoil• Skanska• Total• Det Norske Veritas• Telenor• ISS

• IMD (Switzerland)• INSEAD Business School

(Singapore)• CCL-Center for Creative

Leadership (Belgium)

• North Eastern University, (USA)

• The University of Western Ontario (Canada)

• University of Arkansas (USA)

• Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada)

• Bocconi School of Management (Italy)

• Danske Bank (Denmark)• Grupo Santander

(Switzerland)• EnterCard (Sweden)• Siemens (Germany,

Norway)• Maersk (Belgia,

Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark)

• ING Group (Netherlands)• Marubeni Corporation

(Tokyo, Japan)• Insituto Tecnologico y de

Estudios, (Mexico)

Used worldwideExamples:

Behind the Diversity IcebreakerHuman Factors AS

• An international management consultant company established in 1993• Specializing in teams, leadership, cultural diversity, communication,

project leadership, and measurement instruments • Practitioner as well as academically orientated• Open Innovation Model• Generosity and Openness are core values

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

• 1996: DI Questionnaire emerged • 2003: The classical seminar pattern emerged

Behind the Diversity IcebreakerHuman Factors AS – contact

Human Factors AS, Norway

www.human-factors.no

DiversityIcebreakerNetworkon LinkedIn

DiversityIcebreaker – Internationalon Facebook