Short answer
Actively cultivate and reinforce shared objectives within diverse design teams to enhance their collective performance and innovation output.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Human Relations (2010)
- Method
- Quantitative study
- Sample
- 42 top management teams
- Evidence
- Strong effect
When diverse teams have clearly defined and agreed-upon shared objectives, the potential for conflict arising from differences in gender, tenure, or functional background is significantly reduced, leading to improved team performance. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2010 study published in Human Relations. Using Quantitative study with 42 top management teams, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Actively cultivate and reinforce shared objectives within diverse design teams to enhance their collective performance and innovation output.
Shared objectives mitigate negative impacts of team diversity faultlines on performance
When diverse teams have clearly defined and agreed-upon shared objectives, the potential for conflict arising from differences in gender, tenure, or functional background is significantly reduced, leading to improved team performance.
Human Relations · 2010
Key Findings
- 01Diversity faultlines (differences in gender, tenure, functional background) can negatively impact team performance.
- 02Shared objectives significantly attenuate the negative influence of diversity faultlines on team performance.
Application
Design takeaway
Actively cultivate and reinforce shared objectives within diverse design teams to enhance their collective performance and innovation output.
How to apply
Before embarking on a new design project with a diverse team, dedicate time to defining and communicating the project's ultimate goals and desired outcomes, ensuring buy-in from all members.
Project actions
- 01Clearly define the primary objective of your design project at the outset.
- 02Ensure all team members understand and agree upon this objective.
- 03Regularly revisit the shared objective to maintain focus.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Uses objective measures of organizational performance.
- +Tests a moderating effect, providing a more nuanced understanding of diversity's impact.
Limitations
It can be challenging to objectively measure 'shared objectives' in a student design project. The impact of diversity faultlines might also be influenced by factors not explored in this study.
Reliability & validity
The study's reliance on objective performance indicators likely enhances its validity. Reliability would depend on the consistency of the measures used for faultlines and shared objectives.
Think critically
To what extent can 'shared objectives' truly overcome deep-seated diversity faultlines, and what other strategies might be necessary for optimal team performance in complex design challenges?
Design Principles
"Foster alignment around common goals to leverage diversity effectively."
Understanding how to harness the benefits of diverse teams while mitigating potential drawbacks is crucial for effective design and innovation. This insight suggests that fostering a strong sense of common purpose can be a powerful strategy for design teams composed of individuals with varied backgrounds and expertise.
What This Means for Your Design
If your design team has people with different backgrounds, make sure everyone agrees on what the main goal of the project is. This helps the team work together better and achieve more.
How to use in your project
- 1.Discuss how establishing clear, shared objectives can mitigate potential challenges arising from team diversity in your design project.
- 2.Consider how you will ensure alignment on project goals with your team members.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
In this design project, the team's diverse backgrounds were managed by establishing a clear, overarching shared objective from the project's inception. This alignment on goals was crucial in fostering cohesive collaboration and mitigating potential conflicts arising from differing perspectives, ultimately contributing to the project's successful outcome.
Source
Human Relations
Diversity faultlines, shared objectives, and top management team performance
journal · 2010
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about shared objectives mitigate negative impacts of team diversity faultlines on performance?
- Actively cultivate and reinforce shared objectives within diverse design teams to enhance their collective performance and innovation output. Evidence: Human Relations (2010).
- Why does "Shared objectives mitigate negative impacts of team diversity faultlines on performance" matter for design?
- Understanding how to harness the benefits of diverse teams while mitigating potential drawbacks is crucial for effective design and innovation. This insight suggests that fostering a strong sense of common purpose can be a powerful strategy for design teams composed of individuals with varied backgrounds and expertise.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Actively cultivate and reinforce shared objectives within diverse design teams to enhance their collective performance and innovation output.
- What were the main findings?
- Diversity faultlines (differences in gender, tenure, functional background) can negatively impact team performance.. Shared objectives significantly attenuate the negative influence of diversity faultlines on team performance.
- What research method was used?
- Quantitative study with 42 top management teams.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2010 journal from Human Relations.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Before embarking on a new design project with a diverse team, dedicate time to defining and communicating the project's ultimate goals and desired outcomes, ensuring buy-in from all members.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on top management teams, so findings may not directly translate to all types of design teams. The operationalization of faultlines and shared objectives might have specific contextual dependencies.