We are all links - Intercultural management

Open-mindedness is within the intercultural world, fundamental. A couple of years ago I asked a work colleague who worked with a Chinese supplier six months ago, what I knew of them. He told me that he had one of the best market prices, acceptable quality for the company and partial deliveries no extra costs  could be spread, among others. I insisted and asked what he knew at the cultural level . He replied laughing " I knew what they ate them with sticks and I used to have problems when projects meet objectives because they do not respect the timings used but that does not mean a problem because so far they drove.

The fact that there were no cultural conflicts with the provider does not guarantee that there is none in the future. It is important to anticipate to the conflicts preparing yourself about the culture with which are you working, before, during and after you start a business relationship. Manage the cultural differences  first within the company with all team members and between departments as well, because when only a member is not aware about how to manage cultural differences in the company could jeopardize any project potentially. We are all links.

It is necessary for this, eliminate prejudice, learn to see and teach to see that people from different cultures differ in thinking, making, manage and relationships. Listen and be consistent with what is said while leading by example is a common denominator of all cultures that never fails.

The lack of clear communication and an expression of our feelings or thoughts almost canceled by "diplomatic " reasons hinder the real understanding between people.

If at a meeting between two cultural groups one of them presents the results of their project with clear numbers, times, costs, etc. . in a very orderly way and the other group does it in a totally different way such as without a clear notion of time and costs this will originate a concept from one group respecting another which will influence the relationship in the future. We call this "prejudice". A toxic element for human thought and relations difficult to eradicate.

Effective leadership is developed over time by meeting with members of different cultures involved where the topic is not the work itself, organized and moderated by specialists as intercultural agents where members can express their feelings, concerns and make suggestions for better cultural equipment operation are elements of effective leadership .

Eliminate mental barriers, listen to others and also help eliminate prejudice  is the base for a successful cultural relationship.

Paula Figueiredo

Intercultural Intercultural Agent Agent at PM

MIBA Master International Business Administration & Foreign Trade

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