Exploring a Diverse Teams Approach to Inclusive Leadership Program Design: An Action Research Study
This study explored how a diverse team influences the action research process and what team dynamics emerged when employing the stages of action research when tasked to develop an academic program aimed at inclusive leadership. Tuckman’s (1965) stages of group development and an action research design conceptually frame this study. The researchers use a mixed methodology utilizing quantitative data from the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) to assess the team’s level of intercultural sensitivity, along with qualitative observations and interviews to determine if the team’s diverse composition contributed to the academic development process. The results of the study showed: team dynamics, a safe work environment, and intentionality had the greatest influence on the team’s success in academic program development. Findings of this study can be used to inform faculty, administrators, and facilitators on the utility of action research methods when collaboratively developing academic programs and other pertinent initiatives that comprise individuals from diverse backgrounds.
