The challenges impacting virtual cross-cultural teams
Apr 22, 2016 · by Jenn Merrell
Understanding the backgrounds of each team member can assist managers in the molding of an effective and collaborative work group.
In a recent survey completed of 70 global teams, only 18% considered their team performance highly successful and achieving business goals1. As technology and globalization continue to transform the workplace, people from many different cultural backgrounds are beginning to work together2. Developing teams to understand and appreciate differences while motivating employees in a virtual environment is a new challenge many managers are now facing3. ff14 gil for sale Global leaders are now identifying a new subset of skills and talents required to effectively lead teams as organizations leverage team members from around the globe4. Air Jordan 11 Donna
Understanding the importance of trust in a virtual cross cultural environment
The concept and meaning of “team” varies significantly across cultures and organizations; therefore it is imperative to note that behaviors and communication styles will likely vary as well. Establishing a ‘we-feeling’ and commitment are the first steps in collaboration5. New Balance 009 hombre Within some countries around the world trust is an earned respect not easily given; therefore establishing a trusting relationship virtually requires careful precision and finesse to ensure the relationship is built upon mutual trust and respect. Järvenpää and Leidner (1998) studied the concept of “swift” trust, noting that this type of trust is very fragile and temporal in nature. They further noted global virtual teams do not build trust, but import trust from more familiar settings and place a high value on timely responses with regard to communication5. LUNARGLIDE 8
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Overcoming the barriers language creates
Zofi (2012) speaks to the importance of overcoming intercultural disconnect using five cross cultural communication strategies which can be easily remembered using the acronym LEARN. Saint Joseph’s Hawks
- Listen
- Effectively Communicate
- Avoid Ambiguity
- Respect Differences
- No Judgment
Understanding the limits of technology
Technology, while great at connecting people around the world, creates additional challenges for people to notice and pick up on many nonverbal behavioral cues. NIKE AIR ZOOM STRUCTURE 20 Even with the recent introduction of video conferencing, subtle nonverbal cues often go unnoticed6. In recent years, the use of technology and globalization have been accused of homogenizing particular ways of working and studying to align more with Western behaviors. Some question if this protocol is ethical to ignore local cultural preferences to achieve collaboration on a higher level as it can later manifest as a cause of communication problems5.
Motivating and training cross cultural virtual teams
Motivational and training aspects of a manager’s role can be further complicated by the degree of differences in employee cultures. nike roshe two hombre What acts as a motivator within one culture is likely to have a different impact within another; this also holds true for employee development and the educational approach needed to properly train staff to use new technologies, which will assist in the continuation of cross cultural projects. Asics Gel Kayano Evo Homme To offset these challenges facing today’s global marketplace, many organizations are introducing balanced training programs to ensure team members achieve a healthy balance of intercultural skill development and technological development to further develop leadership potential in a high performance, high cooperation workplace6.
Intercultural competence and virtual teamworking skills training
Along with these balanced training programs, many organizations are finding it helpful to regularly review established ways of working that all team members agree to, ensuring all team rules continue to remain relevant. Todd Gurley Jerseys Investing time in staff development opportunities to showcase cross cultural differences to improve team members’ understandings of each other has also been shown to help build trust and respect within groups, and when possible, a rotation of team meeting locations which can allow colleagues to show off their culture1. Working with a company striving to build strong virtual cross cultural teams will require forward thinking analysis of each individual team member. Air Jordan 7 (VII) Understanding the backgrounds of each team member can assist managers in the molding of an effective and collaborative work group.