Lan Bercu Lead Across Cultures Intl

Working and Leading across

Cultures and from a Distance

Lan Bercu

Lead Across Cultures Intl.

Agenda

• Explain the cultural barriers

• Use communication messages more effectively

• Apply 4Cs model to build instant trust

• Identify and improve virtual team-member competencies

Saigon-Vietnam

What is Culture?

What is Culture?

Communication

Decision-Making

Relationships

Work Habits

Symbols

Beliefs

Values

Perceptions

Assumptions

Expectations

Attitude

Learning

Cultural Barriers

Power Distance(L) Power Distance( H)

Individualism Collectivism

Adapted from Hofstede’s dimensions of cultures

Power Distance at Work

Power Distance(L) Power Distance( H)

Equality Hierarchy

Decentralization Centralization

Leader as a resource Leader as a father

Subordinate initiates Subordinate receivesorder

Power Distance

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

USA

China

Mexico

Germany

Country Comparison Geert-Hofstede.com

Relationship of Boss to Staff

Illustration by Yang Liu- Used with permission

Individualism- Collectivism

Individualism Collectivism

Problem-solving Relationship-building

Results Harmony

Contract Trustworthiness

Appreciation of Appreciation of

self-promoting self-deprecating

• Sandy’s story

Perception of Self

Illustration by Yang Liu- Used with permission

Individualism

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

USA

China

Mexico

Germany

Country Comparison Geert-Hofstede.com

Cultural Dimensions

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Power Distance Individualism

USA

China

Mexico

Germany

Country Comparison Geert-Hofstede.com

Paper Tearing Exercise

Our Messages

Visual55%

Verbal7%

Vocal38%

Mehrabian’s Communication Model

Communication

Illustration by Yang Liu- Used with Permission

4Cs TRUST Building

Communication Concern

Credibility Competence

TRUST

TRUST Building

• Social interaction

• Collaborative workTraditional

(Interpersonal)

• Reliability

• Consistency

• Responsiveness

Virtual(Task-based)

Virtual Team-Member Competencies

• Project Management

• Networking

• Technology

• Self-Management

• Boundary Management

• Interpersonal Awareness

Duarte, Deborah L., Snyder, Nancy Tennant; Mastering Virtual Teams: Strategies, Tools, and Techniques That Succeed

Thank you!

Lan Bercu

404-512-9909

Lan@LeadAcrossCultures.com

LeadAcrossCultures.com