2/21/2024 0 Comments Culture tags virtualOne of the biggest priorities for global teams is to understand the influences of culture on the way in which cross-cultural peers might work. Where it's not possible to get the whole team together, then representatives from each team may be sufficient to create some of the engagement needed. The opportunity to get together physically (even if only once a year) is really important in developing bonds, reaffirming goals and refreshing the energy of the team. Invest in Face TimeĪlthough Coronavirus might place immediate challenges to getting together physically, it should be high on the agenda once the situation changes. Sharing out the burden is a good way of making everyone feel as though they have a turn where they are not working ridiculous hours. If you always have certain members of your team calling in very late at night or in the early hours of dawn, it can become a burden. Small talk is one of many things that help minimize conflict in teams.Ĭlick here to learn how to prevent conflict in global virtual teams It doesn't have to be extensive chit chat, even mere courtesies to show they care, can go a long way in building productive relationships. We suggest that team members also take the time to ask how their remote colleagues are during phone calls and emails. Not only does it oil personal relationships and build team bonds, but it also accommodates latecomers and allows time for people to sort out microphones or other potential glitches. As such, it's a good idea to include time before each remote or virtual meeting for small talk. In remote teams, relationship building is even more important due to the lack of physical contact. Relationships and trust between team members are greatly valued in many cultures. This may leave non-native speakers feeling isolated or irritated - a key cause of cross cultural team conflict. Where conversation topics involve more complex language, then it's considerate to share possible support materials with non-native speakers beforehand to ensure they have the opportunity to review any relevant terminology.įailing to do this means that the team is not working as a cohesive whole and that buy-in or agreements are limited to a small number of team members only. Native English team members should commit to speaking clearly and avoiding colloquialisms or slang. This is especially difficult when conversations take place online as cues that may be relied upon in a face to face setting, such as body language, have been removed. Use Simple EnglishĪ key problem for many team members who do not have English as a first language is the speed at which many native English speakers talk. Using one of the examples above, if you don't want people taking calls during conference calls then set the rule! 3. This style of communication can be extremely offensive in cultures where people give each other a brief pause to ensure they have completed everything they wanted to say.Īs such, teams need rules to ensure that all parties have the same expectations and that they work to the same standards. In direct communication cultures, it might be acceptable to talk as soon as someone else stops talking without allowing a pause (even, at times, talking over the end of someone's sentence). In relationship-driven cultures, for example, it might be perfectly acceptable to take calls during meetings. What is acceptable or not acceptable in meetings, can change across cultures. When doing so, be aware that some cultures are likely to be less forthcoming when raising challenges or difficulties, so you may have to think carefully about how this is done if you're to get honest feedback. With language and culture already presenting potential barriers, it can be extremely demotivating and isolating for team members dealing with the additional pressures of working with unfavourable platforms.Īs such, it's essential you gauge regular user feedback to check efficacy and accessibility. Some platforms don't necessarily work as well for people across all locations, and since some platforms are also banned in some countries, then it's possible that users will only be able to access them via a VPN. However, it's important that you check that your platform of choice is fit for purpose across all locations. Webinar platforms play a critical role in communication between remote and virtual team members. DON'T MISS THE FREE SAMPLE OF OUR CULTURAL AWARENESS COURSE AT THE END! 10 Tips on Working in Cross-Cultural, Remote and Global Teams 1.
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