We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Optimizing Diversity on Teams

Derek Newberry, Ph.D. and Dr. Aviva Legatt

By drawing on social science perspectives, this course enables you to learn what diversity is, and how to use it to maximize team performance, innovation and creativity. You also learn how to draw out the collective wisdom of diverse teams, handle conflict and establish common ground rules through real-world cases and peer-to-peer discussions. In addition, you discover how to overcome common biases faced in diverse teams. Systems of power, reward and rhetoric are discussed to help you create prosperous teams where differences flourish.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

Here's a deal for you

Save money when you learn with a deal that may be relevant to this course.

All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

Valid until March 12, 2027

Save 40% Off 3 Months

Access thousands of top-rated learning programs with a Coursera Plus monthly subscription and take 40% off 3 months for a limited time.

What's inside

Syllabus

Promoting Diversity in the Workplace

This module is all about the hidden barriers that can prevent you from promoting and leveraging the benefits of diversity on your team. We will learn specific strategies to get buy-in for diversity initiatives. We will learn about the biases that can harm these efforts, and discuss effective means of identifying and reducing these biases. Towards the end of the module, you will hear from two diversity experts. The first is Arjun Shankar, Co-Director of the Center for Curiosity at the University of Pennsylvania. In this role, he has studied cultural barriers to inclusion in organizations and offers insights based on his research. The second expert is Stanford Thompson, Executive Director of the music education non-profit, Play On, Philly! Stanford advises symphony orchestras nationally on how to improve their diversity, and will offer practical advice on making any team more inclusive. By the end of the module, you will be better positioned to develop diversity initiatives that go beyond compliance and make inclusion a core strength of your team.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops the skills and knowledge to promote and leverage the benefits of diversity to maximize team innovation, creativity, and performance

Explores social science perspectives that define diversity and help learners maximize diversity on teams

Features guest lectures from diversity experts Arjun Shanker, Co-Director of the Center for Curiosity at the University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford Thompson, Executive Director of the music education non-profit Play On, Philly!

Focuses on overcoming common biases in diverse teams and establishing common ground rules to ensure team harmony

Provides real-world case studies of diversity management from companies like Google, Nike, and UnitedHealthcare

Taught by Dr. Derek Newberry and Dr. Aviva Legatt, respected scholars in the field of diversity and inclusion

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.

Save

Reviews summary

Optimizing diversity and team performance

According to learners, Optimizing Diversity on Teams is a largely positive course offering practical strategies for improving team performance through inclusion. Students particularly appreciated the real-world case studies from companies like Google and Nike, and the insights gained from expert interviews. The course effectively covers diversity basics, how to manage conflict, and ways to address bias. While some found the content introductory, many felt it provided a valuable foundation and actionable tools applicable to their professional roles. The focus on social science perspectives and real-life examples resonated well with most participants seeking to build more inclusive and effective teams.

Good for those new to diversity topics.

"It provided a solid foundation in understanding why diversity matters for teams and basic concepts like bias."

"Great overview for someone relatively new to the topic, covering the essentials clearly and concisely."

"As someone with some existing background in DEI, I found parts of the course to be a bit basic, but still a good refresher."

Interviews with experts add significant value.

"The interviews with experts like Arjun Shankar and Stanford Thompson were a highlight and very informative."

"Hearing from practitioners gave a valuable real-world perspective on implementing diversity."

"The expert insights made the theories discussed in the modules feel much more tangible and applicable."

Effectively addresses bias and conflict management.

"The module on managing conflict provided particularly useful and actionable insights for team dynamics."

"I now have a better understanding of biases and how to identify and begin reducing them in my team."

"Dealing with difficult conversations around diversity is less daunting after completing this module and learning the suggested norms."

Real-world examples illustrate concepts well.

"The real-world cases from companies like Google and Nike were incredibly helpful for seeing concepts in action."

"Studying how major businesses apply these strategies made the learning feel very relevant."

"The case studies grounded the theoretical concepts in practical business scenarios."

Offers actionable takeaways for the workplace.

"I learned practical strategies that I could apply immediately to my work environment."

"The course provides concrete tools and approaches for fostering diversity and inclusion on a team."

"I now have a better understanding of how to implement diversity initiatives that go beyond basic compliance."

"Gave me actionable steps to take back to my team and start making changes."

Interaction quality varies among participants.

"The quality of peer discussions and feedback varied greatly depending on the participants in the group."

"...some peer reviews weren't very constructive or detailed."

"While peer interaction could be helpful, it wasn't consistently high quality."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Optimizing Diversity on Teams with these activities:

Volunteer with an organization that promotes diversity and inclusion

Show steps

Volunteering with an organization that promotes diversity and inclusion is a rewarding way to give back to your community and make a positive impact.

Show steps

Find an organization that aligns with your interests
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend training and orientation
Fulfill your volunteer commitment
Reflect on your experience and identify areas for growth

Review laws and regulations

Show steps

Review existing knowledge of laws and regulations to strengthen foundational understanding of diversity and inclusion principles.

Browse courses on Regulatory Compliance

Show steps

Gather relevant laws and regulations
Read and analyze key provisions
Identify areas of strength and weakness
Develop a study plan to address gaps

Learn about social sciences

Show steps

Examine the connection between diversity and a variety of fields to build a foundational knowledge.

Browse courses on Diversity

Show steps

Read articles about the impact of diversity on team performance and innovation.
Watch videos about the benefits of diversity in the workplace.

17 other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all 20 activities

Explore online resources on diversity

Show steps

Broaden your understanding of diversity by exploring online resources on the topic.

Browse courses on Diversity

Show steps

Visit websites such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for information on diversity.
Watch videos on YouTube about the importance of diversity in the workplace.

Refresh your conflict management skills

Show steps

Conflict management skills are essential for anyone who wants to be successful in the workplace. This activity will help you refresh your knowledge of these skills and prepare you to deal with conflict effectively.

Browse courses on Conflict Management

Show steps

Read an article or watch a video on conflict management
Practice your conflict management skills in a role-playing exercise
Reflect on your experience and identify areas for improvement

Watch TED talks on diversity and inclusion

Show steps

TED talks are a great way to learn from experts in the field of diversity and inclusion.

Show steps

Search for TED talks on diversity and inclusion
Watch a few talks that interest you
Take notes on the key points
Discuss the talks with your colleagues

Volunteer with diversity-focused organizations

Show steps

Contribute to the community while gaining practical experience in promoting diversity and inclusion.

Browse courses on Community Involvement

Show steps

Research and identify organizations
Contact organizations to inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend volunteer orientation and training
Participate in volunteer activities
Reflect on experiences and identify areas for growth

Engage with others in online discussion forums

Show steps

Extend your learning by engaging with other learners in online discussion forums.

Browse courses on Diversity

Show steps

Join online discussion forums related to diversity.
Participate in discussions by sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Read and respond to the posts of other participants.

Organize current knowledge

Show steps

Reviewing your notes and readings will help you be more prepared for each upcoming module

Browse courses on Workplace Diversity

Show steps

Review the module overview
Collect your notes and slides
Use headers to organize notes

Participate in online discussions

Show steps

Engage with peers to exchange ideas, share experiences, and deepen understanding of diversity and inclusion concepts.

Show steps

Join online discussion forums or groups
Actively participate in discussions
Share insights and experiences
Seek feedback and perspectives from others

Explore best practices in diversity management

Show steps

Enhance understanding of practical techniques and strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Browse courses on Diversity Initiatives

Show steps

Identify reputable sources for online tutorials
Seek out tutorials covering best practices
Follow tutorials and take notes
Reflect on key takeaways

Join a diversity discussion group

Show steps

Joining a peer discussion group will allow you to connect with other professionals who are interested in diversity and inclusion.

Show steps

Find a discussion group that meets your interests
Attend meetings regularly
Share your ideas and experiences
Listen to the perspectives of others

Participate in a peer discussion on diversity bias

Show steps

Having conversations related to diversity issues in the workplace can help you develop better communication and listening skills, as well as strengthen relationships with your peers.

Browse courses on Unconscious Bias

Show steps

Join a peer group or discussion forum
Prepare for discussion by reading course materials and researching diversity bias
Actively participate in discussions and share your insights
Listen to and learn from the perspectives of others
Reflect on the conversations and apply insights to your own work

Attend diversity and inclusion workshops

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience and practical insights from experts in diversity and inclusion.

Show steps

Identify relevant workshops
Register for and attend workshops
Actively participate and engage with speakers
Reflect on key takeaways

Create a presentation on diversity

Show steps

Showcase your understanding of diversity by creating a presentation on the topic.

Browse courses on Diversity

Show steps

Research the different aspects of diversity.
Develop a storyboard for your presentation.
Create slides that are visually appealing and informative.
Practice your presentation before delivering it.

Read Ruha Benjamin's Race after Technology

Show steps

This book will provide you with an in-depth look at how technology interacts with race and helps perpetuate bias. It has been highly recommended by diversity, equity, and inclusion experts.

Show steps

Read the introduction and conclusion
Choose two chapters that are most relevant to your work
Summarize the main points of each chapter
Connect the author's ideas to what you have learned so far in your course

Create a team diversity plan

Show steps

Creating a team diversity plan will help you put into practice what you have learned in this course and make a real impact in your workplace.

Show steps

Identify the current state of diversity in your team
Set goals for improving diversity
Develop strategies for achieving your goals
Create a timeline for implementing your strategies
Monitor and evaluate your progress

Develop a diversity and inclusion plan

Show steps

Apply course learnings to create a practical plan for promoting diversity and inclusion within an organization or team.

Show steps

Research best practices and industry benchmarks
Identify specific goals and objectives
Develop strategies and action steps
Create a written plan
Present the plan to stakeholders

Mentor a student from an underrepresented group

Show steps

Mentoring a student from an underrepresented group will help you develop your leadership skills and make a positive impact on the life of another person.

Show steps

Sign up to be a mentor
Meet with your mentee regularly
Provide guidance and support
Celebrate your mentee's successes

Develop a presentation on diversity initiatives

Show steps

Creating a presentation on diversity initiatives will help you understand how to develop and implement diversity initiatives that go beyond compliance and make inclusion a core strength of your team.

Browse courses on Diversity Initiatives

Show steps

Research best practices for diversity initiatives
Develop a presentation outline
Gather data and examples to support your points
Craft a compelling presentation
Deliver your presentation to your team or a group of peers

Career center

Learners who complete Optimizing Diversity on Teams will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Diversity Officer

A Diversity Officer is a senior-level position focused on cultivating a diverse workforce. This course may be beneficial because it offers strategies for promoting diversity and overcoming biases. You will also learn how to create inclusive work environments, which is crucial for any Diversity Officer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity Officer

Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) Manager

An Inclusion and Diversity Manager focuses on promoting diversity and inclusion within an organization. The knowledge gained from this course will help you foster a more inclusive work environment and effectively manage conflicts that may arise from diverse perspectives. It also provides valuable strategies for drawing out the collective wisdom of diverse teams, maximizing their performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) Manager

Director of Human Resources (HR)

A Director of HR oversees all aspects of human resources, including diversity and inclusion initiatives. This course will help you gain a comprehensive understanding of diversity and its benefits for high-performing teams. You will also learn how to identify and overcome biases that hinder the promotion of diversity, making you a more effective leader in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Human Resources (HR)

Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)

A Chief Diversity Officer is responsible for developing and executing diversity and inclusion strategies across an organization. This course is highly relevant as it provides insights into creating a prosperous team environment where differences flourish. You will also gain valuable knowledge in overcoming common biases and promoting diversity, empowering you to drive meaningful change as a CDO.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Diversity Officer (CDO)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant

A DEI Consultant helps organizations create diverse and inclusive work environments. This course may be useful as it provides strategies for promoting diversity and creating a culture of inclusion. You will also learn how to manage conflicts and establish common ground rules, which are essential skills for a successful DEI Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consultant

Chief Culture Officer

A Chief Culture Officer is responsible for shaping and promoting the culture of an organization. This course may be beneficial as it provides insights into creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. You will also learn how to manage conflicts and establish common ground rules, which are crucial skills for shaping a positive and productive organizational culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Culture Officer

Director of Talent Acquisition

A Director of Talent Acquisition oversees the recruitment and hiring of diverse candidates. This course may be helpful as it provides strategies for promoting diversity and overcoming biases. You will also learn how to create inclusive work environments, which can enhance your ability to attract and retain top talent.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of Talent Acquisition

Human Resources (HR) Business Partner

An HR Business Partner provides expertise in HR practices to different departments within an organization. This course may be useful as it offers strategies for promoting diversity and overcoming biases. You will also learn how to create inclusive work environments, which can enable you to more effectively support business units in fostering a diverse and productive workforce.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources (HR) Business Partner

Diversity and Inclusion Trainer

A Diversity and Inclusion Trainer develops and delivers training programs to promote diversity and inclusion. This course may be useful as it provides strategies for promoting diversity and creating a culture of inclusion. You will also learn how to manage conflicts and establish common ground rules, which are essential skills for a successful Diversity and Inclusion Trainer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Diversity and Inclusion Trainer

Social Justice Advocate

A Social Justice Advocate focuses on addressing social inequality and promoting diversity and inclusion. This course may be beneficial as it provides insights into creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. You will also learn how to manage conflicts and establish common ground rules, which can enhance your ability to bridge divides and foster social justice.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Justice Advocate

Executive Vice President of Human Resources

An Executive Vice President of Human Resources is responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources, including diversity and inclusion initiatives. This course may be beneficial as it provides insights into creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. You will also learn how to manage conflicts and establish common ground rules, which are crucial for shaping a positive and productive organizational culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Vice President of Human Resources

Talent Management Consultant

A Talent Management Consultant helps organizations develop and implement talent management strategies. This course may be useful as it offers strategies for promoting diversity and overcoming biases. You will also learn how to create inclusive work environments, which can enable you to provide more effective guidance to clients on fostering a diverse and productive workforce.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Management Consultant

Business Consultant

A Business Consultant provides advice and guidance to organizations on various business aspects. This course may be useful as it offers strategies for promoting diversity and overcoming biases. You will also learn how to create inclusive work environments, which can enhance your ability to help clients improve their business performance through diversity and inclusion initiatives.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Consultant

Organizational Psychologist

An Organizational Psychologist studies and applies psychological principles to improve organizational effectiveness. This course may be beneficial as it provides insights into creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. You will also learn how to manage conflicts and establish common ground rules, which can enhance your ability to conduct research and develop interventions to promote organizational well-being and productivity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Organizational Psychologist

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to solve business problems. This course may be useful as it offers strategies for promoting diversity and overcoming biases. You will also learn how to create inclusive work environments, which can enhance your ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and leverage data to drive business decisions that promote diversity and inclusion.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Reading list

We've selected 17 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Optimizing Diversity on Teams.

The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders

Save

Provides a high level overview of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and the importance of building an inclusive culture.

Optimizing Diversity on Teams

Here's a deal for you

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Optimizing diversity and team performance

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses

Coursera Buyer Protection & Guarantee

7-Day Free Trial & Free Audit

14-Day Refund Guarantee

Verified Academic & Industry Partner