Cultural differences are frequently treated as curiosities or funny anecdotes. However, people working in international teams or responsible for contact with foreign business partners, experience the authentic importance of those differences. What difficulties do they encounter in business relations with representatives of other countries?
It is difficult to pick out the factual features of a foreigners’ mentality from a sea of stereotypes flooding both the internet and the common opinion. However, when we are working with representatives of other cultures, the reality verifies it quite quickly. Interestingly,
usually such a collision does NOT act like a bucket of cold water. This, because we are simply not aware that cultural factors may be responsible for difficulties in communicating with a foreign colleague.
We are more inclined to blame it on his/her character or perhaps their difficulty in the ability to interact. However, as it often turns out, this is a false trail. For example, Poles working with German partners sometimes wonder why the German project manager addresses them a day or two before the deadline, asking whether everything is all right. Initially, this is not considered as annoying, but if this this kind of situation is repeated with every project, it can become irritating.
The explanation for this kind of behaviour simple: the Germans do not like to leave things to the last minute, so when the deadline is approaching, their assignment is usually already completed. They expect similar attitude from their business partners or colleagues, which sometimes can be surprising and requires open-mindedness and understanding.
Also the Swedes like to leave a safe time margin. On the other hand, the British are more relaxed – their concept of deadline is being treated loosely, so you should not be surprised when a British colleague is delivering something at the last minute or even with a slight delay.
Multinational team – multidimensional challenges
Working internationally can surprise and sometimes disappoint. Polish wholesalers reaching out to British companies were often sure that they were successful in introducing their offer to a potential customer, only to find out at a later stage that it was not the case. This, because the British rarely decline something in a direct way. While conversating, they often approve and show appreciation of the offer and then – politely turn it down through an email. It is therefore recommended not to focus on success too quickly – it is better to pause your optimism until you actually sign the contract.
How to prepare for being a part of multicultural team?
In professional contacts with foreigners, it is important to be openminded and not to judge in advance. We shouldn’t forget that every nation has their own characteristic features, that may not be comfortable for everyone. In business, however, you simply must learn how get along. So instead being discouraged, it is worth trying to find a way of understanding. Sometimes it requires giving up your own habits and adapt to a different mode of work, but if it is related to for example implementing a large international project or entering a new, profitable market, then surely it is worth the effort.
Let’s also not forget that this works both ways. International cooperation is only fruitful when both parties are aware of cultural differences and try to gradually blur them.
A common goal unites – it just needs a little bit of help. Competences related to interaction within different business cultures are always useful and help to avoid missteps when communicating.
And it certainly is worth acquiring such skills because working in a multinational team can be very fulfilling!