Navigating the culture clash in teams
In a globalised world, it is impossible to avoid working with foreigners at the workplace. Leaders increasingly find themselves managing teams that consist of different nationalities.
The international team is immediately expanded, not only in terms of skills, knowledge and experience which exist in ordinary teams anyway, but also by unique geographic perspectives.
Leaders who manage such variegated teams must acquire and apply habits that are anchored in openness. In practical terms, this means investing the time and effort to listen to people who will express ideas in either unfamiliar accents, or novel styles. Most of all, leaders must develop patience to mediate a potential clash of cultural assumptions.
