1. 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 LT01-KA

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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.