Howard LaiPMP, CEng, CPEng, NER, IntPE(Aust), RPEQ, MIET, CSSBB, CISA, ISO9001 LA| QHBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
How can a PM cope with conflicts due to team members from multi-cultural background? It is especially difficult to manage if team members are located across different countries. Saving Changes...
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Eberhard BalmacedaProject Manager| IndependentPanamã¡, Outside Usa/Canada, Panama
in these cases it is important to define the project culture. meaning establish clear rules and procedures for the project. and also regular meetings so all the team member create some relationship even if is by call conferences. And also it would be a good idea to allow team members to introduce themselves and their professional and cultural background to the rest of the team. Saving Changes...
Manas De AminDirector| Computer Technology Group KolkataKolkata, West Bengal, India
First, it is essential to create the "Ground Rules" and communicate to all team members in unambiguous words. Second, team members should be introduced to each other electronically that is; the skill matrix be send to all. If it contains the personal interest areas, hobbies and a brief mention of family, then it can go a long way to foster humanitarian bond between geographically dispersed members who perhaps will not meet each other ever physically. Regular meetings (Tele, VC etc.) should be held. Another important factor is to know the local policies, labor rules in each participating country like shifts, over time, compensatory leave, emergency call outs and so on. Follow the Sun should be followed as far as applicable while distributing work. These are just broad points to be remembered. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
After more than 20 years to work in this type of projects and trying to add something to the valuable comments above let me say that to simplify all it is a matter of perception. That is key to understand your stakeholders. I am working with teams with more that 65 different countries and I am only met face-to-face with the 10% o them (the team usually comprises more that 600 people). The perception will be influencing by the culture indeed. And as other said to understand the culture is a must. I was born in a country (Argentina, South America) where multi cultural environment exits from year 1930 so perhaps it helps to me. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
What worked for me was to build strong relationships with each person. Once you have built a rapport with individual performers, it is easier to build team dynamics.
This allowed me to understand the culture behind each person and act as a bridge when working as a team. (I learned that when one of my DBAs said "Yes" to a question, he was really saying "I understand the question." In a group setting, I could make sure the question was re-formulated until an appropriate answer was obtained.) Saving Changes...
PANKAJ KUMAR JOSHIGeneral Manager| Transrail Lighting LimitedNainital, Uttrakhand, India
In this scenario first understand of background of each team member. Use your interpersonal, identify there cultural differences.
How individual is carrying his culture to work? Make a ground rule that nobody comments about culture of individual. Try to create environment with same work habits for all employees.
After that organize some team building exercises, some light sessions, going out for lunches together.
Try to realize individuals to respect other''s culture. Saving Changes...
It''s important that the team recognize and understand the underlying reason(s) for the project. Win-Win situations are almost always fruitful. What''s in it for me, what''s in it for the rest of the team, and what''s in it for the company? Saving Changes...
Dominic LawProduct Manager| PCCW GlobalHappy Valley, Hong Kong
The PM should take the lead in cultural awareness, and also encourage the team to understand each other''s culture. I find Hofstede''s cultural dimensions theory useful as introduction to the country culture. I also find visiting the country and work face-to-face with the people enhance my understanding of the culture a lot. We know team building exercise can improve team member relationship, so PM can organize some team building mix with experience sharing events to bring together people from different countries in one place. To me this is worthwhile investment to build long term working relationship. Saving Changes...
PANKAJ KUMAR JOSHIGeneral Manager| Transrail Lighting LimitedNainital, Uttrakhand, India
I agree with Dominic, being a PM it is important to know the culture of all stakeholders. Saving Changes...
First of all the PM should ensure that everyone in the team understands the communication etiquette with all the interacting groups. There should be a protocol defined which should be uniform across all members of the project. For that to happen the project manager should himself not only be aware of the cultural diversity in the team, but also keep that in mind while defining policies. It is not that each member should know the other cultures inside out, what matters is they should be comfortable enough to work in the team.
For the team to work together comfortably, the tools and processes are the same as with any team, culturally diverse or not i.e. co-location, VC team meetings etc. I have also seen benefits of having a separate cell in HR catering to conflicts / issues arising out of cultural differences among project team members. Saving Changes...
