How can you build stronger relationships with employees from different cultures?

We can build strong relationships with people from different cultures by developing and genuinely embracing them, mutual respect, understanding their culture and encouraging collaboration, innovation, recognizing their talent and rewarding the teamwork. We have built strong teams by aligning people as per their respective strengths, respecting them, rewarding and recognizing them for their team effort.

The world has become smaller , which means meeting people from places and cultures completely different from yours in inevitable. So it’s important rather it’s necessary to be aware of other cultures. As a leader you could be the worlds best speaker but if you don’t understand your audience , their likes and preferences you will fail to motivate them. So learn, learn learn about other cultures Second is empathy. Genuinely be interested in other people and their lives and you will learn faster and better. Focus on others and they will open up to you and begin to like you and quickly forgive you if you go wrong . Be aware Be sensitive and that’s how you become a leader who makes a difference

Go travel and stay at one place for longer than two weeks. Experience the world outside of the comfort of a resort or the touristy attractions.

Having worked in international organizations for the past decades, my belief is that managers need to make extra efforts to understand their staff. This starts off with understanding their communications preferences, working styles, values and beliefs. Asking questions, observing behaviors, trying to use opportunities such as holidays and milestones as a catalyst of conversation can be useful. Ask them about their previous workplaces, how the staff used to work, or take holidays, or observe certain events and holidays. Don't assume your norm is everyone's norms - and as a manager, remember it's your job to adjust your style of management to your staff. So, they can be the best versions of themselves.

For me different nationalities never been a hurdle when it comes to work/project. I believe as a leader when we contribute to any project and support the team to achieve their project goal, we earn respect despite of any nationality. Be empathetic, approachable and contribute to your team, i am sure it will be a cakewalk to work with people /stakeholders across the globe.

Show a genuine interest and curiosity about their country's history and seek out their perspective as to events and issues. An effective way to do this is by asking open ended questions and actively listening. Take a cultural self assessment to gain more insight into how your cultural norms may differ so you can raise your awareness and make adjustments.

One of the easiest ways to get started is to celebrate cultural holidays and allow employees to opt in or out of holidays like Christmas or Eastern. Some people might prefer to celebrate Eid. Others Diwali. Make sure you ask each one of them for their important holidays and mark them in your calendar so you can send them a message, like you would send a Christmas one.

To build stronger relationships with employees from different cultures: 1. Foster open communication: Encourage employees to share their perspectives and concerns. 2. Cultural sensitivity training: Provide training to increase awareness of cultural differences. 3. Inclusive policies: Implement inclusive policies that respect diverse backgrounds. 4. Team-building activities: Organize events that promote bonding and understanding among team members. 5. Empathy and respect: Show genuine interest in and respect for each employee's cultural background and experiences. 6. Flexibility: Be open to accommodating cultural differences in work styles and practices. 7. Feedback: Regularly gather feedback to improve cultural integration efforts.

When it comes to building stronger relationships with employees from different cultures, it's crucial to emphasize the importance of learning from them directly. It's equally essential to let them be the teachers and guides. Have genuine conversations with your colleagues from different backgrounds. Ask them thoughtful questions about their culture & actively listen to their explanations and stories. This allows them to share their perspectives, a significant differentiator. Connecting on a deeper level & truly empathizing with their experiences will go a long way in fostering meaningful relationships. It's not just about learning about their culture but also about understanding it from their point of view & connecting on a personal level

How about international movie nights with films from around the world? Or a global book club focused on diverse authors? And let's hear travel or life stories from colleagues who've lived abroad. Cool, right?

Flexibility in your communication style is essential when working with people from diverse backgrounds. Be willing to adapt your work and communication approach to accommodate different preferences and needs. For example, some cultures may value directness, while others prefer a more indirect communication style. By being adaptable, you can foster better understanding and cooperation.

In social learning and identity theories, people naturally categorize people into groups and are fearful of the unknown. Getting to know other people and being respectful of their culture is the first step to breaking invisible barriers (contact theory). It's really important that you go into this with an open mind and listen with a cultural mindset, because you'll learn some wonderful ways of doing things. Just remember - different doesn't mean wrong! You also need to make sure that you're educating yourself on their perspective, because without that, you're never going to truly understand what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes.

Different cultures and beliefs are our realities in our world. We need to go beyond our own borders in determining our life cycle. To respect and motivate differences, in fact, what underlies these is the recognition of the sociological and psychological aspects of human beings. Especially by touching their hearts, an intense sensory process is experienced and a sense of belonging and long-term permanence is experienced. When we look at empathetic managers, we can see that they have meaningful and trusting relationships with their employees.

Building robust relationships with employees from diverse cultures requires strategic approaches rooted in empathy, cultural intelligence, and inclusivity. Start by fostering open communication channels, where active listening and mutual respect prevail. Encourage cultural awareness through workshops and training, promoting understanding of varying customs and values. Embrace diversity in leadership roles, showcasing inclusivity as a core value. Recognize and celebrate cultural festivals and achievements, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Foster a supportive environment where employees feel valued and understood, promoting collaboration and teamwork.

When you receive feedback related to multicultural relations, use action rather than “acting” as a sounding board. Candor on deaf ears can be more demoralizing than the effort you think you’ve put forth.

There are numerous festivals and events to celebrate in India. Be prepared to explain the history of a particular festival. Diwali, for example, is seen as the equivalent of Christmas. It will go a long way toward explaining why we celebrate Diwali and what it means. There is no set formula for what we can accomplish, but showing genuine interest in sharing your culture and learning about theirs is the key to developing long-term relationships.

Start by sharing tidbits about your culture in casual conversations. When relevant to the discussion, mention traditional foods, festivals, or customs from your culture. Small anecdotes or personal experiences can pique curiosity and lead to deeper conversations. Consider teaching your colleagues some basic phrases if your culture includes a foreign language. In addition to sharing your culture, this can also enhance cross-cultural communication. You can reciprocate by learning phrases from your colleagues' languages.

As an "American" it goes a long way to speak a foreign language. If you are able to show interest and be able to speak with colleagues from other parts of the world you can gain a lot of respect and trust quickly.

Get to know the cultures of the members of your team. Engage team members in activities that make them feel comfortable sharing their cultures. Having potlucks, talking about key holidays, and dressing up can create opportunities for such conversations.

The key to interacting with colleagues from different cultures is to avoid making assumptions or relying on stereotypes. Stereotypes can cause misunderstandings and hinder effective communication. Consider each individual as a unique individual with their own experiences and viewpoints. Learn more about their background and perspectives by asking open-ended questions.

Be more interested than interesting. Be curious about others and let them show how they operate. Be open-minded about their approach. That will grow the teams together.

It's always a good idea to have some common ice breaker topics on hand, especially when the conversation is just getting started. The topic could be anything from the weather to sports to movies, and so on. Avoid discussing politics at all costs; it could lead you astray. Depending on the audience, it may also be beneficial to be prepared to share a few of personal instances - for example, about your family or college days. The goal is to take the first step toward closing the gap and making them feel at ease.

Understand that people from different backgrounds might have different beliefs, values, and communication styles. Make sure your interactions with others are respectful, inclusive, and culturally sensitive.

Like my good friend Felipe Burgaz (veteran of 9 different countries he's lived and worked in for brands like Converse, Coca Cola, Uber and Amazon) told me: "As human being we have far more in common than we have differences". So embracing the human elements that we all share. Like the love of connection, understanding what people expect of and from us, getting clear feedback and support when you feel lost. And looking beyond the small level differences and details, and towards the things that unite us as people, the big themes and emotions. Is the best way to unite and break down cultural thinking, barriers and walls.

As a cross-cultural mediator, I believe it's imperative for organizations to adopt a weather-agnostic stance towards cultural events, either by universally acknowledging them or by not favoring any particular culture's festivities. When US-based companies solely recognize American holidays or those from predominantly known or geographically proximate nations, while overlooking others, it cultivates a disparity. This discrepancy can potentially breed internal discord and discrimination.

1. Be vigilant about micro aggressions to set a standard. 2. When considering your audience for diversity training, try not to group in marginalized employees unnecessarily. It’s likely they already understand the importance of this program and they know you’re avoiding offending those that need it the most. Instead, try to assign these programs in hierarchical groups to appear more empathetic.

It is always helpful to respectfully try to experience each other’s cultures. This helps to promote solidarity and mutual respect between people. Sharing cultural experiences provides a common ground for fruitful discourse afterwards.