Cross Cultural Issues in Management

By Anne Egros, Global Executive Coach at Zest and Zen International Coaching

http://zestnzen.com

What is Culture ?

" Culture is more often a source of conflict than of synergy. Cultural differences are a nuisance at best and often a disaster."     Prof. Geert Hofstede, Emeritus Professor, Maastricht University.

http://www.geert-hofstede.com/

Cultural Differences and Impact on Doing Business

• Language (Verbal and non-verbal)• Religion• Cultural Values• Cultural Norms

Some Features of Culture• 1. facial expressions• 2. religious beliefs• 3. religious rituals• 4. importance of time• 5. paintings• 6. values• 7. literature• 8. child-raising beliefs• 9. ideas about

leadership• 10. gestures• 11. holiday customs• 12. ideas about

fairness

13. ideas about friendship14. ideas about modesty15. foods16. eating habits17. understanding of the natural world18. concept of self19. the importance of work20. concept of beauty21. music22. styles of dress23. general world view24. concept of personal space25. rules of social etiquette26. housing

Body Language• Physical closeness of people• Postures/body stance

• Eye-contact (Use or avoidance)

• Touch,

• Hands/gesturing

• Physical attire & overall grooming

• odors

Religion

• Protestant and Christianism—stress hard work • Judaism—stresses education, development.• Islam—focus on rules for social interaction• Hinduism—encourages family orientation and

dictates strict dietary constraints.• Buddhism-stresses sufferance and avoidance of

worldly desires.

Cultural Values and Norms

• Cultural Values = Enduring beliefs define mode of conduct and are guides for desirable behavior.

• Norms =rules that dictate what is right or wrong, & acceptable or unacceptable.

• What an outsider must or must not do.• What locals may do but an outsider

cannot do.• What an outsider may or may not do.

Critical Differences in Doing Business US vs France

1. Analytical thinking: Focus on the present, data analysis,

2. Focus on the “how,” and then on the “what

3. Little interpersonal communication needed for business transactions

4. Communication is very direct

5. Importance on what is said, not on how it is said

6. Change is good, outcome over tradition is emphasized

7. Independent work, informal speeches, first names

1. Reasoning based on prevailing philosophies

2. Focus on the “why”, then on the “how”

3. Emphasis on relationships, business is built on personal bonds, trust

4. Conflict and negative aspects of business are handled indirectly

5. Saving face is important

6. Links with the past, history and traditions are important.

7. Hierarchical organizations. titles, last names, formal speech

Effective Intercultural Communication and Leadership

• Cultural literacy is one of the most important skills to build effective relationships with diverse employees, collaborative alliances with suppliers, and strong connections with customers.

Strategies for Effective Intercultural Leadership

1. Be aware of your own culture, beliefs, values and behavior.

2. Show curiosity toward other cultures and expand your knowledge when interacting with local people by listening and observing.

3. Show respect for other cultures and customs by adopting appropriate behavior and language (verbal and non-verbal)

4. Do not over-react when you feel uncomfortable or “under attack:, ask first questions for clarification

5. Be patient.

6. Learn quickly how to read people and assess situations

7. Be genuine, open and inclusive

8. Help other managers and employees by communicating clearly on roles, responsibilities, expected initiatives and behaviors.

9. Learn how to give feedback in a cultural sensitive way

10. Leverage cultural differences for mutual gain

About Zest and Zen Global Executive Coaching

• Anne Egros the founder of Zest and Zen is an independent professional coach, based in Brussels, the Capital of Europe and host of many international organizations including EU and NATO. 

• Anne has been an expatriate for 20 years working at management levels for Fortune 500 companies in USA, Japan and Europe. She understands deeply the needs and challenges of global leaders and international managers working in multicultural environments.

• Anne's coaching approach is holistic and unconditionally constructive.  When the company vision, mission and goals are aligned with the individual's values, people can achieve extraordinary results

• Executive coaching and Cross-cultural Leadership: Anne thinks that doing business globally does not mean "one size fits all", most marketing strategies must adapt to local characteristics and circumstances, sometime even at the individual level. "Glocalization" is  the new strategy for international development and it requires a brand new set of skills for managers to become inter-culturally effective leaders that inspire people reaching excellence.

• Anne provide one to one and team building coaching services. The “One2One Energizing Coaching“ helps clients to become aware of who they truly are, what motivates them or hold them back. Anne use brainstorming techniques, visualization and creativity tools. 

• Anne Egros helps her clients to build a personal brand in their organization and in social media aligning their personal values and vision with the ones of their organization.

Contact : aegros@zestnzen.com