Whilst there is no secret recipe for effective international co-operation these ten points might help you to navigate successfully through the complexities of international relationship-building:
- Avoid making instant judgements or assumptions about people from different cultures regarding their working style
- Try to do some research on any culture you will be working with
- Try to understand how your leadership style might be viewed through the eyes of team members from different cultures – they may view your style as bizarre
- Remember that not all problems encountered in international situations are the result of cultural differences – the issues could be personality-based, technical or commercial
- Just because people do things differently in another country does not mean that they are necessarily wrong in their approach – they might be wrong but they are not necessarily wrong. It is as important that you understand your own cultural approach as it is to understand the approach of others.
- A good idea is a good idea regardless of where it originates – you do not have all the answers
- Not all ideas from head office are good ideas
- Not all ideas from head office are bad ideas
- When communicating with people who are speaking a second language, do not over-estimate their linguistic abilities. Just because they are good at a second language does not mean they are perfect!
- Teams and organisations that are at ease with themselves and co-operate well across the cultures will prosper in an increasingly global economy.
