Trust and empathy are two of the most important qualities shared across a diverse team.
In a group of varying perspectives, backgrounds and experiences, opinions are bound to clash. But trust and empathy can create synergy between team members to unite them toward a common goal. It’s up to the team manager to establish these traits that are necessary for both individual and team success.
To build synergy, Tiffany Staples prioritizes caring for her team at UrbanBound on personal levels. The marketing director at the employee relocation software platform said she frequently checks in on the individual well-being of her team members and helps facilitate their professional growth. She learned the importance of these skills while training with a corporate relationship advisor on how to build and lead a diverse team, as well as in her entrepreneurial experience in launching two companies.
Staples recently talked to Built In Chicago about what it takes to successfully manage a team full of unique perspectives.
What are some important things a manager can do to ensure they’re providing adequate support to all members of their diverse team?
It’s of utmost importance to understand each employee and connect with them on a professional level while maintaining a pulse on milestones in their personal life. The key to building loyalty and trust while adequately supporting your team is meeting employees where they are at — not where you expect them to be — and aiding in professional development.
Managing a diverse team is managing how team members interact with one another.”
What training have you received for managing and working with a diverse team, and how has that training shaped your approach to management?
Several years ago, I worked with a certified corporate team building and relationship advisor who specialized in equipping diverse teams with adequate skills and optimal aptitude for teamwork. I gained insight into how to position teams to produce positive, efficient results. I routinely practice the skills and concepts I learned from this study and repeatedly defer to these concepts to solve challenges and meet organizational needs. Part of managing a diverse team is managing how team members interact with one another.
How do you create synergy among a diverse team and ensure all voices are heard, valued and respected?
We believe in investing in our employees, which may be as simple as a check-in at the beginning of a meeting to provide a pulse-check for co-workers. It can also mean offering survey opportunities and encouraging questions directed to upper management during company-wide meetings and town halls. Within our marketing team, we often practice asking: “Why?” This simple act allows for a mutual understanding of roles, responsibilities and direction for ultimate alignment.
