That question is not about Equal Opportunities. The case for removing unfair discrimination is self-evident and a cherished value in a liberal society. Freedom from sex prejudice is also in keeping with good public relations. But that is not the crucial point. Long experience has inclined me to the view that mixed-gender teams perform better than single-sex teams. I have observed all-male groups to be prone to macho-competitive tendencies, focusing on a single goal to the detriment of all knock-on effects. All-female groups were prone to lose a central focus and were observed to become easily side-tracked by personal matters. For a while I was uncertain whether such observations were sampling errors on my part until I heard some academic support for this view from the University of Utrecht. I have gradually become convinced that there are sound, psychobiological, reasons for advocating mixed-gender teams. The advantages are unrelated to the distribution of competencies or any gender differences in the spread of team roles. Rather, the advantage of gender balance lies in the different way in which priorities are seen by the two genders. Bringing them together and gaining a wider perspective ultimately enriches our ability to manage a complex and ever-changing world.
If you would like to find out more about Meredith's research please visit www.belbin.com/rte.asp
