January 14, 2025
Women and others from historically marginalized communities climbing the ladder of success often still find themselves in the distinct minority in teams, on committees, and on boards. Although women generally expect a more positive experience as one of two in a group rather than solo, theory and research suggest being part of a duo may provide surprising challenges. In fact, research implies that the presence of three women in a group represents a critical mass to disrupt gender dynamics.
This webinar explores the impact of group representation on perceptions of leadership and considers how those from historically marginalized groups can overcome resulting barriers. Although the discussion will focus on gender, the basic concepts apply to other types of differences as well.
Suggested Audience: This webinar will benefit both men and women who are managing diverse groups and want to do so more effectively with a richer understanding of their dynamics. It will also benefit individuals who are members of diverse groups and find themselves in the numeric minority with respect to a salient characteristic.
Presenter: Denise Lewin Loyd
Denise Lewin Loyd is a Professor of Business Administration, Associate Dean for Equity, and the Vernon Zimmerman Faculty Fellow in the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her work on diversity in teams examines how group composition and the social status of group members interact to affect the micro processes underlying interaction within and between subgroups in diverse contexts as well as overall group outcomes. Her work has been recognized with awards from the Academy of Management, the International Association for Conflict Management, the Journal of Management Education, and the State Farm Foundation. Prior to joining UIUC, she was a faculty member in the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She also studied civil and architectural engineering and worked as a construction project manager before earning her PhD in Management and Organizations from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.
