Managing An International Team Overview ✓ Solved
Overview Managing an international team will present unexpected
Managing an international team will present unexpected challenges. You are in different time zones; you have different schedules; you come from different cultures; and your own communication style may be different from that of members of your team. Success of a geographically distributed team can be fostered by setting expectations that are informed by best practices and the cultures of your team members.
Scenario: Your company is expanding into a new market and has formed a new team that it would like you to manage. Your manager has sent you this note: Thank you for taking on this challenge. You have a great team, but they come from very diverse backgrounds. It’ll be up to you to make sure it is a cohesive team that communicates well and collaborates effectively. As you know, at our firm, we feel the management of our teams and human resource management are a strategic advantage for us. I would like you to write an email explaining to me what managerial approaches you will use and how you think your team will function together. Please also include your conference call invitation for your team’s introduction. I would like to review what you are going to send to your team.
For this assignment, you will write an email and introductory conference call invitation as requested by your manager. Your team consists of the following four members from various locations across the globe: Kaspar was born in and is based in Canada; Kelly was born in and is based in the United States; Syed was born in and is based in the United Arab Emirates; and Nina was born in and is based in India.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria: Write an email to your manager explaining how you plan to manage your team. It should include the following information: Cultural considerations for each team member, common issues among diverse or global teams and potential conflicts that could occur in your team, multiple management approaches you plan to use and why, a policy for selecting which holidays team members can take off that takes into account cultural considerations, and a determination of whether your team will collaboratively create a team expectations and communication plan or whether you as the manager will do it on your own, explaining your decision. Create a conference call invitation, including the time of the meeting and agenda.
Paper For Above Instructions
Subject: Team Management and Introductory Call Invitation
Dear [Manager's Name],
Thank you for the opportunity to lead this diverse team as we expand into a new market. I appreciate your confidence in my ability to foster effective collaboration among our team members: Kaspar, Kelly, Syed, and Nina. Understanding the cultural backgrounds of each member is crucial for our success, and I plan to use several managerial approaches to ensure we function cohesively.
Kaspar from Canada is likely to appreciate a direct communication style and value a strong work-life balance. Kelly, based in the United States, will likely prioritize individualism and expect recognition for her contributions. Syed, from the United Arab Emirates, may bring a high context communication style, relying heavily on relationships and formalities. Finally, Nina, from India, might prefer an approach that honors hierarchy and respects collective team decisions.
Given these cultural dynamics, we will utilize a combination of transformational and participative management styles. Transformational leadership will inspire and motivate team members to achieve our shared goals, while participative management will ensure everyone has a voice in our team’s decision-making process, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment. I anticipate that this dual approach will help mitigate common issues among global teams, such as miscommunication and cultural misunderstandings.
To address potential conflicts, I will establish clear communication protocols early on. We will also implement a holiday policy that will allow team members to take time off for culturally significant holidays. Each member can propose their preferred days off, ensuring that we respect and accommodate the diverse cultural observances within our team.
Regarding our team expectations and communication plan, I believe that collaboration will yield the best results. I will facilitate a session where we can define our collective goals and establish our communication norms. This collaborative effort will help foster a strong team identity and ensure that everyone is aligned with our objectives.
To kick off our collaboration, I propose we have an introductory call on [insert proposed date and time, considering time zones]. The agenda will include introducing team members, discussing our individual roles, establishing initial communication protocols, and outlining our approach moving forward.
Conference Call Invitation:
Date: [insert date]
Time: [insert time]
Agenda:
- Introduction of team members
- Discussion of individual roles
- Establishing initial communication protocols
- Outlining our approach moving forward
Please let me know if you have any feedback or further recommendations before I reach out to the team.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Position]
[Your Company]
[Your Contact Information]
References
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