How to be Indispensable to International Teams | Part 2 Cross Cultural Management

When working with international teams there are going to be multiple levels of issues and concerns to navigate consciously and subconsciously.  When discussing this topic (and it is one of my favorites) I love to reference my favorite text on the subject, Understanding Cross Cultural Management by By Browaeys and Price. (Everything below is based on their work).

According to Michael Browne, “[g]lobalization means that modern teams and companies are increasingly staffed by qualified people from around the world. In order to create a harmonic working environment while maximizing team efficiency, it is necessary to understand how different cultures approach things such as meeting deadlines, direct or indirect communication or project mentality”.

Individuals who master the ability to operate and navigate international teams with success and results are people high in demand.  You can too by studying the following aspects of cross-cultural diversity.

Leadership Presence | An Art and a Skill

How to be Indispensable to International Teams | Career Development

As I continue to study, read, and assimilate the vast knowledge of “businessy things” available I inevitably create links and make lists as to what skills and traits are needed for individuals to flourish as team members and to function at their highest level.   As I tend to focus on the more serious topics of management, leadership and winning, I also try to make it entertaining and short to keep your attention.

On that note, this post is an amalgamation of  topics which when combined create a powerful understanding of how to be indispensable to international teams.  This 20-something guide was inspired by many of my fellow students who are or have just graduated.  Going into the world of international business isn’t going to be difficult for some of the international students, but for the others who stumble upon great opportunities, this guide is for them and for you.

Consider this your 20-something, 101 guide to working in or with international teams.

The series includes the following:

• Creative Problem Solving
• Cross-Cultural Management
• Communication
• Decision Making
• Mediation
• Leadership
• Presence
• Negotiation
• Listening

 

Are You A Manager Or A Leader?

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself if you manage or if you lead? Managers are work oriented, seek comfort,. and have subordinates. Leaders are people oriented, seek risk, and have followers.

Finding Purpose In Your Career

If we’re going to spend the majority of our lives working, we should find purpose in our work.  There are people that don’t think that they have the luxury of worrying about such things because their responsibility to provide trumps their need to find personal purpose in their work.  The thing is, you can find purpose in everything, even a job you don’t necessarily love.

Ask yourself:

1. What makes me come alive?
2. What are your inner strengths?
3. Where do you add the greatest value?
4. How will you measure your life?

Knowing your purpose may compel you to take on challenges that will stretch you as much as they inspire you.

According to Sarah Landrum one should:

1. Reframe the way you think about purpose
2. Trim it down to the essentials
3. Take small, but careful steps
4. and prepare yourself for change

According to MindTools, “[o]n an individual level, people who understand their job’s wider purpose are happier, more engaged, and more creative. And, from an organizational perspective, when employees see how their roles fit with the company’s goals, staff turnover goes down and productivity rises. People work harder, use their initiative, and make sensible decisions about their work. In turn, the company can operate more efficiently. Everyone, from the CEO to customers, feels the positive effects”.

Governor Deal Signs Brenau Student-inspired Law Benefiting Military’s Special Needs Children – Brenau University

Governor Deal Signs Brenau Student-inspired Law Benefiting Military’s Special Needs Children – Brenau University.

I’m so proud of the ladies @ Brenau.  This just goes to show that my school develop leaders who lead even before they graduate!!!

LIKE ME!

Brenau University Takes Top Mediation Team Award During International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament – Brenau University

Brenau University Takes Top Mediation Team Award During International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament – Brenau University.

I’m so proud of my team. I wasn’t able to participate this year and I hated it.  However, I learned a ton by watching my teammates show their particular style.

Why Personal Reputation Management is Crucial to your Brand

According to Entrepreneur Magazine, “the sum of all your social-media activity is truly a reflection of your collective brand, so manage it all with purpose. Your behavior on social media becomes your brand and builds your reputation. While the digital world is your platform, use it with care because there is a fine line between productive and destructive behavior.”

You’re branding even when you don’t know it.  You can either have a positive brand with a great reputation or not.  If you don’t have a positive, productive, and reputable professional internet persona then you’re in for trouble.  Clean up your social networks and remember that diligence is the key to reputation management.  Admit it,  you don’t want your Facebook profile privacy settings open for your new boss to see you wasted and doing body-shots off some co-ed last month do you?