Chapter 5 Leadership and Diversity

1. Chapter 5Leadership and Diversity Slides developed by Ronald W. Toseland State University of New York at Albany

2. Leadership of Multiracial Groups • Engage in ongoing self-assessment and of the group, its members and their environment • Anticipate potential sources of tension • In composing the group, in formulating purpose and in structuring the group’s work

3. A Broad Framework For Intervening in Diverse Groups • Develop cultural sensitivity • Assess cultural influences on group behavior • Intervene with sensitivity to diversity

4. How Group Members Differ • Race, ethnicity, and culture but also: • Gender, social class, geographic background, education, disabilities and abilities, language • Level of acculturation and assimilation, sexual preference, age • Other ways?

5. Developing Cultural Sensitivity • Explore your own cultural identity • How members define themselves culturally • Emphasize the strengths of various cultures when discussing differences • Opportunities to describe how they experience their cultural backgrounds/identities

6. Developing Cultural Sensitivity • Become familiar with the backgrounds, preferences, and values of members • Read about particular cultural communities • Become immersed in a particular culture

7. Assess Cultural Influences on Group Behavior • The match between leader and member backgrounds • The influence of members’ backgrounds on their participation in the group • Members’ views of the agency sponsoring the group • Potential members help seeking behavior

8. Assess Cultural Influences on Group Behavior • The cultural sensitivity of outreach and recruiting efforts • The formation of relationships among persons from diverse backgrounds • The larger environmental context where members live and their behavior in the group

9. Assess Cultural Influences on Group Behavior • Preferred patterns of behavior, values and attitudes • Subgroup formation and identity • Language • Experience with oppression; feelings about themselves, group identity & the larger society

10. Cultural Influences on Group Dynamics • Communication and Interaction • Use of language, symbols and nonverbal communication by people of different backgrounds • Language sensitivity and knowledge of words • Stylistic elements of communication • Nonverbal communication, and space and distance • Interaction patterns specific to diverse groups

11. Cultural Influences on Group Dynamics • Cohesion • Subgroup formation and patterns brought about by similarities within the diversity of the group • Expectations and motivations among persons from diverse backgrounds • Cultural characteristics that influence group goals and group content

12. Cultural Influences on Group Dynamics • Social Integration • Culturally determined normative behavior • Influence of culture on task and socio-emotional role development in groups • Influence of discrimination and oppression on how members experience power & control in the group

13. Cultural Influences on Group Dynamics • Group culture • Emerging indigenous leadership and cultural preferences • Shared ideas, beliefs, and values held by members from diverse cultural backgrounds • Level of feelings and strong emotions expressed by members as influenced by cultural norms

14. Intervening with Sensitivity to Diversity • Using social work values and skills • Using a strengths perspective • Exploring common and different experiences among members • Exploring meanings and language

15. Intervening with Sensitivity to Diversity • Challenging prejudice and discrimination • Advocating for members • Empowering members • Using culturally appropriate techniques and program activities

16. Practice Principles • Some diversity is always present – help members explore differences and similarities • Engage in a process of self-exploration of your own identity • Seek knowledge about how members define themselves; how this affects their participation

17. Practice Principles • Be open minded and nonjudgmental – view the positive potential and richness of diversity • Acknowledge and try to understand the effects of prejudice, discrimination and oppression • Consider how diversity effects group dynamics and group development

18. Practice Principles • Consider the effects of diversity when making assessments and working toward goals • Assess how diversity may affect communication and interaction patterns • Empower members who may be oppressed outside of the group

19. Practice Principles • Understand the place of spirituality and traditional concepts of illness and healing • Confront stereotypes, biases and prejudices • Develop a repertoire of specialized cultural formats and ways to structure a group