How can leaders create effective teams in culturally diverse organizations?
Barczak, G., & McDonough, E. F. (2003, Nov-Dec). Leading global product development teams. Research-Technology Management, 46, pp. 14-18.
The authors of this study focus on the ultimate in cultural diversity·teams whose members are located in different countries. Here, the leader must help members build relationships that not only include cultural diversity, but time and distance issues, as well. To do this, the authors make four specific recommendations: Meet face-to-face initially, meet for a minimum of three days, increase the quantity and quality of communication, and hold project progress meetings to keep the project on-track.
Hurst, C. (2003, February 24). Leadership in a diverse community. Nation's Cities Weekly, 26, p. 7.
This author considers ways that leaders can improve the trust necessary to create effective teams. He recommends that leaders learn to recognize and coach their team members to recognize the various filters that each of us use when processing information. Leaders should ask questions in order to ensure that everyone is hearing the same information. Leaders should also seek out underlying assumptions that individuals members might be making in discussions; such assumptions are more likely in diverse groups and can derail group effectiveness if they are not identified.
Mooney, J. (2004, October). Shemp, Larry & Moe got it wrong! ABA Bank Marketing, 36, pp. 26-29.
Managing diverse teams does not need to lead inexorably to chaos, according to the author. Setting ground rules of respect, of being willing to listen to one another, of avoiding attacks·either personal or professional·and using consensus-building communication skills can create effective teams. It is important that the ground rules are communicated to all members of the group, and that deviations from these rules are not tolerated. In this...