Working effectively across borders is an in-demand skill, even for employees in relatively small businesses. That’s because it’s increasingly common to work across borders, time zones, and cultures.
As a result, it’s important to be aware of what habits and traits we bring to a workplace and how those may impact folks differently. In particular, it’s important for managers to understand how to help employees succeed.
Regardless of your role, the first step is to reflect on your working style and how it may compare to how others work. You can use the following framework to think through how you are showing up to your workplace. We recommend using our 5 Dimensions.
For other great tips, check out Your Guide to Working on Global Teams from the Harvard Business Review.
Aware
Bring consciousness to your work. Enter new work spaces and relationships with eyes wide open on your impact to others.
- What is my role in this relationship? Manager, stakeholder, counterpart etc.
- What are the habits I bring from my culture? Expectations on work, time, social interactions.
- What are the habits traditional in the culture I am working with?
- Are there any habits I bring that will cause issue or conflict in the culture I am working with that require me to address them or change them? Sometimes we do not need to change our behaviors. It is sometimes best practice to simply label and call out behaviors that we know are different for the culture we are working within. If the behavior causes undue harm to the relationship, you should put thought into changing it and not simply labeling it.
- Are there any adjustments to my behavior necessary to ensure I have productive working relationships?
Care
Have heart. Understand how you connect with others and build meaningful relationships.
- How do people in the culture I am working with form productive relationships? In order to answer this, feel free to bring this question to the people you are working with! You do not need to solve this completely on your own.
- How do people in the culture I am working with show care?
- What are the boundaries people are used to working within? (ie working hours etc)
- What are the holidays celebrated in this culture?
Prepare
Show up prepared to face differences. Spend time here to ensure you show up in a way you are proud of.
- Before your first meeting with folks from a different culture, prepare how you will show up. If you have questions to ask, prepare them on your agenda. We recommend using questions from this document to establish the baseline of your relationship building. Approach new relationships with an open curiosity and a willingness to adapt where necessary.
Share
Getting information to people in a way they understand is important. Understand how people like to receive information. Understand your habits in delivering information. You need to be aware if there is a mismatch. Your role is to understand that sharing is a two way street.
- What is my natural communication style? (ie Are you direct? Do you prefer to send things in writing?)
- What are the norms around communication style in the culture I am working with?
- Is there a conflict or difference in the way I naturally communicate and the culture I am working with? If yes, seek to understand and adjust where necessary.
- Ask people how they like to receive feedback. Cultures vary in what is considered an appropriate way to deliver and receive feedback. Ensure you understand this for folks on your team or who you work closely with.
Dare
Challenge yourself to learn about the cultures you are working with. Know it is your role to continue to invest in yourself and your relationships. Lead through change and challenge with courage.
- Do I face any blockers in understanding the culture I am working with?
- Do I understand that it is my role to continue to grow and push myself to understand things outside my comfort zone?
- Do I need to ask for help? You do not need to face challenges alone. Your manager, HR, People Team are there for you. Reach out if you need help in understanding the best way to work across borders. And definitely reach out if you run into a specific problem. They are there to support you.
Pro Tips
- Add the timezone of your team to your calendar so you are aware of their time zone easily
- Bookmark WorldTimeBuddy for easy scheduling
- Create a news alert for the country of your direct report so you can stay alert and aware of what is happening in their world
- Add important holidays for the country of your direct report to your calendar so you can celebrate with them when appropriate
- If you’re a people manager with global teammates, spend more time learning effective management strategies for global teams
