THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Culture & Diversity

""Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul." - Edward Abbey

TOPIC OF THE DAY

When Working Globally, Master Cultural Norms

If you're thrust into an unfamiliar culture, as a manager, you have to modify your behavior to fit cultural norms. This can be tough, especially if it makes you feel inauthentic. If you face this discomfort, try these three things:

Identify the challenge. Pinpoint what's making you uneasy. For example, in a culture that values a top-down leadership style, are you struggling to provide clear directives?
Adjust your behavior. Make small but meaningful adjustments that both reflect the culture you're working in and stay true to your values. You don't have to yell at employees, but could you be more assertive?
Recognize the value. While you may need to behave in counter-intuitive ways, focus on the desired outcome.

Topic cited in Harvard Business Review “Management Tip of the Day” on Feb 3, 2012