[MUSIC] So what do we do? We have the positive perspective, we have the negative perspective. We know, in fact, that these two forces operate at the same time. So it may be hard to avoid either one or the other. So let's look at some recommendations of how you can overcome, of how you can work around this tension as we see it in the diversity literature. So first of all, you will want to analyze very carefully the task of the team. What is it that this team needs to do? Because, in fact, what we see, the more complex, the more uncertain, the more new, the more diffused the task, so that things that the team needs to achieve, the higher the benefits of diversity. So if you have a team performing very complex work, think about a high level management team, think about a research and development team thinking about new medicines, trying new ways of thinking and creating new knowledge. For example, in these type of teams probably the benefits of diversity will, in fact, outweigh the cost. If you have a very simple task, well, do you really need the diversity? Do you really need those differences in perspective and information? With very simple tasks, maybe you're even better off to establish a team in which people are more similar, because in that way they avoid the costs of diversity. Second, carefully analyze which diversity dimensions in fact are relevant. Because diversity in terms of gender or age may not be the same as diversity in terms of personality or study backgrounds. So if you know exactly what it is that your teammates to do and what you want from your team members, you can analyze very carefully on which dimensions you may want diversity and on which dimensions maybe you want similarity. Three, make sure you align the team towards a common vision. Again, we have the importance that we saw in the design of the team to establish a compelling direction. We see again the leadership tier is coming in which also we saw the importance of having a common vision, we see it again here. If, as a team leader you are able for people to overcome their differences because they see such a clear vision, such a clear and compelling common purpose and direction, this is a way, let's say, in which you can be able to overcome the costs, the difficulties that may happen with diversity. And with that, you can benefit from the advantages and the positive effects that are there. Also very important, develop a diversity mind set. Because the thing with diversity is also that it's not only about what is true, it's also about what people believe is true. So if you have a very diverse team, and as a team leader or as team member, you can install in your team the perspective where you say, diversity is good. We can benefit from it. This is something positive that can help all of us. This is a very different approach then if you imagine people thinking about, well you know diversity, it's so difficult. It is such a hard thing to overcome. So what is the mindset, what is the belief system that you have about diversity? And also here, let me make one reference to a theory that we saw in fact in week one where we discussed McGregor's theory of motivation. And we said sometimes the expectancies of a leader about the behavior of the people can become true through a process of a self-fulfilling prophecy. We have the same thing here. If people believe diversity is good, they will spent extra time and effort understanding each other. As a result, they will be able to get the benefits of the diversity which also again confirms their initial belief that diversity is good. So this is a process that you will want to pay specific attention to if you're thinking about the composition of your team and if you're thinking about diversity that you'll have in your team. So with that, let's continue discussing about we have designed a team. We have made our decisions about who is in the team and who is not. And then what happens? We're going to be talking about team processes. [MUSIC]