A manager's job is to deliver results, through people, according to the requirements of the company. Globalization has brought its share of complexities to the management front.
In order to provide modern solutions to modern problems the 21st century manager has to adopt accordingly. One area which requires such emphasis is in their intercultural management skills.
Nowadays, being 'international' is not an exotic adventure in business, it's the way that businesses have to operate, through sourcing, manufacturing and, of course, selling.
With offices in all the major cities, production based in outreaches normally associated with TV specials and growing, wealthy markets just clamoring for appealing products, there are few organizations who remain untouched by the globalization of trade.
Those most in demand as 'intercultural managers' are those who can leverage the potential and opportunity in a very different world than most of us experience.
Intercultural Management - What You Need To Know
The bottom line is that there is now, in a tough marketplace, a need for exceptional managers who can work worldwide to get the best from cultural differences.
This term really clarifies the expectations of those employing these key people - being able to communicate, manage and realize the value of international cultures.
In all forms of people management, communication is a recognized key ingredient for success and intercultural communication is a term of increased complexity.
It's vital to recognize just how shared understanding is the most important piece of the puzzle in businesses that work across international boundaries.
Within the business, an multicultural manager plays the role of a go-between for senior personnel and employees and must have clear and effective communication with all.
The manager must also build and oversee an efficient team of often worldwide employees to ensure that and strategies and global plans get delivered at the sharp end.
One way that a manager who works in diverse lands can make rapid progress is by living and working in the environment they are attempting to leverage. Carefully choosing appropriate personnel ready for such challenges is paramount.
And, of course, it's vital to be able to build relationships on all sides to make this work as a mutually beneficial exercise.
Where things work out well, bank those for the future. Where there are some shortfalls, careful scrutiny of what could be done better will also forge the way for future success.
Intercultural Management - Different Skills - Or Not?
Apart from the more challenging differences across cultures, simply making sure that language issues are not a problem is the first and probably most obvious task.
For achieving this goal the intercultural manager must possess certain attributes such as:-
1. A broad international awareness
2. Add value from diverse opportunities
3. A flexible approach to different cultures
4. The capacity to pace change appropriately
For any manager who has had experience in different cultures, the awareness of this alone is worth it's weight in gold. It doesn't necessarily matter that the country is different - the awareness that differences occur and how to aproach them is valuable in it's own right.
That gives a big step-up to working there - or anywhere 'different', which makes integration easier and results much more likely to be positive.
Flexibility Is The Key For Cross-cultural Managers
Flexibility will often happen naturally once a manager becomes aware of cultural differences and can see beyond superficial level experiences. Flexibility means thinking out of the box, when considering solutions to intercultural challenges.
Problems will need different solutions than perhaps might expect - and this often requires a very different approach.
Likewise a manager with international responsibilities must use intercultural differences positively. Despite the challenges, cross cultural differences can only yield positive results when managed well.
It's a great chance to find the best people; new items for sale and varied rules and regulations to make a better deal possible.
A good manager, well versed in the possibilities (rather then the problems!) of working in different parts of the world, will create profitable opportunities for their organization.
"A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains", is a saying well known in Holland.
Patience, perception, persistence and resourcefulness, all coupled with a vison for what might be possible, all are the trademarks of the truly valuable intercultural manager. - 15246
In order to provide modern solutions to modern problems the 21st century manager has to adopt accordingly. One area which requires such emphasis is in their intercultural management skills.
Nowadays, being 'international' is not an exotic adventure in business, it's the way that businesses have to operate, through sourcing, manufacturing and, of course, selling.
With offices in all the major cities, production based in outreaches normally associated with TV specials and growing, wealthy markets just clamoring for appealing products, there are few organizations who remain untouched by the globalization of trade.
Those most in demand as 'intercultural managers' are those who can leverage the potential and opportunity in a very different world than most of us experience.
Intercultural Management - What You Need To Know
The bottom line is that there is now, in a tough marketplace, a need for exceptional managers who can work worldwide to get the best from cultural differences.
This term really clarifies the expectations of those employing these key people - being able to communicate, manage and realize the value of international cultures.
In all forms of people management, communication is a recognized key ingredient for success and intercultural communication is a term of increased complexity.
It's vital to recognize just how shared understanding is the most important piece of the puzzle in businesses that work across international boundaries.
Within the business, an multicultural manager plays the role of a go-between for senior personnel and employees and must have clear and effective communication with all.
The manager must also build and oversee an efficient team of often worldwide employees to ensure that and strategies and global plans get delivered at the sharp end.
One way that a manager who works in diverse lands can make rapid progress is by living and working in the environment they are attempting to leverage. Carefully choosing appropriate personnel ready for such challenges is paramount.
And, of course, it's vital to be able to build relationships on all sides to make this work as a mutually beneficial exercise.
Where things work out well, bank those for the future. Where there are some shortfalls, careful scrutiny of what could be done better will also forge the way for future success.
Intercultural Management - Different Skills - Or Not?
Apart from the more challenging differences across cultures, simply making sure that language issues are not a problem is the first and probably most obvious task.
For achieving this goal the intercultural manager must possess certain attributes such as:-
1. A broad international awareness
2. Add value from diverse opportunities
3. A flexible approach to different cultures
4. The capacity to pace change appropriately
For any manager who has had experience in different cultures, the awareness of this alone is worth it's weight in gold. It doesn't necessarily matter that the country is different - the awareness that differences occur and how to aproach them is valuable in it's own right.
That gives a big step-up to working there - or anywhere 'different', which makes integration easier and results much more likely to be positive.
Flexibility Is The Key For Cross-cultural Managers
Flexibility will often happen naturally once a manager becomes aware of cultural differences and can see beyond superficial level experiences. Flexibility means thinking out of the box, when considering solutions to intercultural challenges.
Problems will need different solutions than perhaps might expect - and this often requires a very different approach.
Likewise a manager with international responsibilities must use intercultural differences positively. Despite the challenges, cross cultural differences can only yield positive results when managed well.
It's a great chance to find the best people; new items for sale and varied rules and regulations to make a better deal possible.
A good manager, well versed in the possibilities (rather then the problems!) of working in different parts of the world, will create profitable opportunities for their organization.
"A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains", is a saying well known in Holland.
Patience, perception, persistence and resourcefulness, all coupled with a vison for what might be possible, all are the trademarks of the truly valuable intercultural manager. - 15246
About the Author:
(c) 2008 Martin Haworth has written Super Successful Manager!, a very simple, week-by-week performance improvement program for managers of EVERY skill level. You can get a sample lesson for free at http://www.SuperSuccessfulManager.com.
