Communication is the cornerstone of an effective team, but in a cross-cultural working environment, it can be a challenge. To begin with, the team leader needs to establish the language skills of the team, address any shortcomings and ensure that all team members are properly supported in their language needs. If, for example, English is deemed to be the language of the team any gaps in understanding need to be filled.Problems can arise with colloquialisms or slang, so all native English speakers must make the effort to communicate as clearly as possible. They should receive training and advice to ensure that they are speaking and writing as clearly as possible. They should also be aware of the challenges faced by the non-native English speakers in the team. For example, most non-native language users will probably think in their own language and then translate in their heads before speaking, which often leads to a disconnect between what they wanted to say and what actually comes out.Creating systems and processes that make communication easier is an important team-building tactic. This will often be technology-led and could include things like intranets, project collaboration sites like coomeet, and virtual meeting tools.Different Work StylesWork styles will vary across the team. Some cultures encourage individual thinking and reward people for individual contributions. Other cultures will take a more collectivist approach where individuals may feel uncomfortable coming forward with ideas and have strong deference to the boss. Identifying these differences and working to the strengths of each employee is important for cross-cultural team building.It is also important to make sure that members of the team are aware of these differences. It may be useful to organize group activities that allow people to express their approach to work so that others can learn from them. Patterns within the different cultural groups will emerge from these types of team-building activities and a good manager should be able to identify them and ensure they are understood across the team.Understanding Local CulturesA key factor in successful cross-cultural team building is to establish respect for diverse cultures. Fostering a good understanding of the different cultural backgrounds of team members makes for better bonding. Looking at cultural differences like food, clothing, music, holidays and festivals provides many possibilities for team-building activities. MotivatorsUnderstanding what motivates people at work is key to bringing the best out of individuals and, in turn, building a strong team. For example, some people will be motivated by ‘tangible’ motivators like monetary reward and career progression, whilst others will be more motivated by ‘intangibles’ like job satisfaction, recognition from their managers, and a sense of pride in their work.In cross-cultural teams, these motivators may be influenced by the cultural backgrounds of the various team members. A good team leader will be able to identify what motivates the members of the team and gauge which incentives will bring the best out of each team member.Establish Organizational Goals and ValuesWhen team members focus on common goals and adhere to values that are rooted firmly in the organization, they will come on board together and stay there. These common goals and values serve to bind people together regardless of cultural differences. They establish a common culture that is based internally on the organization, which transcends external cultural factors.Everyone should be very clear about the team’s goals and objectives. This common purpose is something the team shares no matter where they are based geographically. It becomes more important than cultural differences and defines the team’s group identity.Organizational values will also contribute to the company’s cultural identity. Establishing values like ‘respect’, ‘pride’, ‘achievement’, ‘equality’, ‘responsibility’, ‘honesty’, etc., provides a glue that binds teams together. The process of deciding on these values and disseminating them is a valuable team-building activity in itself.
