6 Must-have multicultural management skills

In some cultures, being prompt is a rarity, and being late is the “normal.” Ensuring that every team member is on the same page regarding timeframes and deadlines would require an extra effort. Start with developing a strong understanding of the company culture’s prompt and deadline-oriented culture. Make it a habit among team members with lesser-important deadlines. Over time, team members would be more accustomed to being prompt and on time.

Every culture teaches people to be respectful of authority. However, the degree of respect and how people respond to power differs from culture to culture. Also, the higher the education level, the more likely the individual will scrutinize the authority’s quality. Thus, a manager should be aware of these differences and expect to receive different responses. For this, you would need to be ready to respond accordingly.

Teamwork has a lot to do with being responsible. A good team comprises of team members who are accountable for their tasks and each other. They are also aware of whom the responsible person is and ensuring the tasks are completed satisfactorily. Different backgrounds affect how a team operates since the levels of esteem and skills differ from person to person. Thus, it is a manager’s role to ensure that every team member works according to their skills and encourage them to work confidently despite their differences.

How transparent should it be? How ethical? Every individual perceives transparency and ethics differently. However, when standards are used, cultivate the understanding that openness and ethical activities must be adhered to at all times. Keep the team members on the same page by reiterating the importance of maintaining transparency and being honest in performance.

Some cultures and personality types are quieter and perceived as “introverted,” while others are more talkative and “extroverted.” These differences are both valuable as they can cater to different needs in a team. Some positions require more inner thinking, while others need more talking. Place the right people with the right communication style in the correct position. However, when working in a team, a manager should be aware of those quiet ones and give them equal opportunity to speak up in meetings.

Some individuals are not used to giving and receiving feedback. They tend to stay within the confinement of their comfort zone. The manager’s job is to ensure that every team member accepts the necessary feedback and follows through with it. Start by opening yourself to receiving feedback from such individuals, ask them what they need to know about. This way, mutual understanding can grow.