Building a Cross-Cultural Workforce
One of the most important attributes to master when you are trying to build a cross-cultural workforce is a willingness to engage with members of your disparate tribe. The most successful groups are those that can successfully incorporate individuals from various cultures into their midst, rather than those that cannot. While this isn’t an easy feat, a little effort goes a long way. In addition to a willingness to communicate with one another, it pays to consider a few other factors. For instance, it pays to ensure that your employees’ parents are also consulted and that their children are also included in the decision-making process.
Another consideration is the number of people in your employ. Larger numbers translate into greater specialization. It also means that you will need to come up with new kinds of institutions to facilitate the distribution of resources, such as a new government or new ways to reward and punish your employees. Also, it’s a good idea to keep in mind the idiosyncrasies of different cultures and to acquaint yourself with the various ways they interact with one another. If you can’t find the time to sit down with your employees and their parents, at least make sure that you have a good understanding of their respective cultures. You’ll be surprised by the similarities you find.
The best way to do this is to establish an advisory board or committee comprised of representatives from each and every tier of the organization. This will allow you to make the smart decisions you would otherwise have to avoid, and provide the leadership your organization deserves.
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