Intercultural cooperation & communication This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. The author is solely responsible for this publication (communication) and the Commission accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. Project number 2016-1-LT01-KA202-023149

Intercultural cooperation & communication In this module: Cultural diversity Working in international teams Culture Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Case study - Culture clash at Pharmacia and Upjohn Activities – Test your CQ & CQ profiles Extra Reading - 10 Collaboration Tips for International Teams

Cultural diversity Cultural diversity is defined as the ethnic, gender, racial, and socioeconomic variety in situations, institutions, and in groups. It can be challenging in the business world. The solution for these challenges is cultural Intellegence! (will be described later on)

Working in international teams Advantages prevent groupthink greater variety of perspectives and ideas Challenges related to language, culture, stereotypes, preconceptions, and differing value systems Language and communication Miscommunication possible in the form of: language style, non verbal communication and unwillingness to express ideas

Working in international teams Language style Some individuals may be blunt, others vague. It is essential to recognize different language styles, but also to beware of misunderstandings that can come from them. Accents, pronunciation, slang and the use of idioms can also cause misinterpretations.

Working in international teams Non Verbal Communication If you are not familiar with the communication style of the person with whom you are working, it can cause mixed signals that both of you can experience.

Working in international teams Unwillingness to express ideas Team members may feel they are not able to express themselves, because of the language that is being used. That’s why they might not do that.

Culture Culture is... Everything we see around us (like how we act and the food we eat) But also: invisible values and beliefs that make up behaviours that are unique to each society

Culture Cultural pitfalls Attitudes toward time Can cause problems when prioritizing tasks and completing tasks within certain deadlines. Preconceptions & Stereotypes Tendency to put (team) partner in the same category as another with whom you’ve interacted from the same country.

Cultural Intelligence (CQ) Cultural Intelligence is similar to Emotional Intelligence (EI): THINK BEFORE ACTING! Be interested in the individual, not in how the place where the person comes from has influenced him or her.

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Language Establish conversational guidelines from the beginning.

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Non verbal communication Become aware of someone’s cultural non-verbal expressions Display of emotions, touching or bowing. No expression makes every person react the same

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Limit hand gestures Maintain modest body posture Silence can mean different things: 1) Agreement 2) Disagreement 3) Contemplation

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Absence of disagreement is not an agreement Make sure you know what your team partners really want. Non verbal communication is powerful Learn about how your team members express negative concepts.

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Stereotypes & preconceptions Know that they exist, but there are ways to prevent them. Encourage face-to-face interactions Give team members opportunity to show their skills in an early stage

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Other suggestions Do not assume things about a particular group or individual Take time to get to know others

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Learn about the cultures and customs of your team members to bond with them Treat every team member equally

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team What are the strengths and the weaknesses of your team partners? Don’t put your own culture and way of doing things above others.

Ways to overcome difficulties when working in an international team Try to see tasks from the other person’s point of view before you judge their contribution or performance.