Question

1. Think of a group or team that you have been a member of that was very homogeneous in terms of member composition. Now think of one that was very heterogeneous (e.g., in terms of gender, age, race, ethnicity, educational backgrounds, or other relevant factors). Compare your experiences in these two groups. How were they similar and how were they different? What were the positives and negatives associated with the homogeneous group and with the heterogeneous group? Did group composition affect cohesiveness or member morale? Did it affect the group or team's performance? Did group composition affect the ease or difficulty of working in the group?

Answer 1

Homogeneous and Heterogeneous teams provide different and exciting experiences to all the members as well as the leaders. The homogenous group has more teamwork and sportsmanship. But in a diverse team, the team members tend to differ from each other because of different cultures, languages, colors, and races. However, both groups are different and efficient in their way. The differences in a diverse team makes it more attractive and intriguing. The inhomogeneous similarity team makes it more trustworthy and quickly operational. The negative point of the homogeneous squad is that there is no external exposure other than the people with a similar mindset.

On the other hand, various teams are inefficient because there is no teamwork, and there are more conflicts of interest in the organization. The people even debate on smaller issues as it leads to non-discussion and inefficient behavior. The homogeneous team increased employee morale and satisfaction. It is because the individuals work together towards the achievement of a common goal. The heterogeneous group often lowers the confidence and satisfaction levels because of different interests and culture. A similar and different composition leads to a difference in opinions and benefits of the individuals. However, the difference in interests also eases the process because the members form sub-teams. These sub-teams focus on different tasks, and the individuals become experts in the field. Hence, both the teams have advantages and disadvantages.