During a diversity management session a manager suggests tha

Solution

The manager’s statement about stereotypes implies that the manager is comfortable forming stereotypes about other individuals who are not from a familiar background. The advantage of having stereotypes is that it will help the manager to have an anchor in terms of having an opinion and also help her to anticipate the possible actions and the way of thinking about the person. In absence of having additional information or data point, this may serve useful to her to asses, anticipate and judge actions and views of the other person.

However there is a big disadvantage that the manager’s thought process would be clouded by the preconceived notion arising out of bias or the stereotype that she has in her mind. Also this bias may not help her in judging any of the work or view of the other person in an objective manner. The anchoring bias would always sway her from behaving independently and solely relying on the merit of the situation or actions taken thus hampering the development of a mutually beneficial relationship.