Question

2. How has the context of managers’ work changed?
Briefly describe the diversity management for this module. Reflect on how diversity management shows how the context of managers’ work has changed and how diversity management can help/assist you as a future manager.
For example, you can reflect on how the increase in diversity has changed the context of managers’ work. You can also reflect on how teams and teamwork have changed managers’ work in contemporary organisations and how these changes in context will affect you as a future manager.

Answer 1

The globalisation of business has posed new challenges for new age managers. Besides factors like adaptation to technology and advanced communication systems and 24x7 nature of business, a manager needs to build a global mindset in the team, contributing to the global culture by inculcating the respect for diversity and tolerance for different cultural attributes that come with a global workforce coming with unique cultural aspects, languages, food habits, physical appearances and beliefs.

The unique task before a manager is to channelise the power of diversity to a unified team strength to tackle vital business issues. Team diversity provides a set of diverse viewpoints that enhance problem solving abilities of a team, provided the harmony is built and maintained between the team members by facilitating higher level of interactions, either at a place or through virtual means to enable them to understand the other cultures and build a common culture of mutual respect and trust. If handled tactfully and in sensible manner, the approach can create great global teams.