[dropcap]W[/dropcap]e live in a world that is continuously expanding and this has a powerful effect on businesses as well. With all the globalization and large companies extending rapidly over borders and often, over continental lines, there is the issue of creating the perfect team using local employees. Recruiters all over the world are facing the challenge of overcoming cultural differences and bringing people together in a safe environment where they can work and create free of judgment. Still, the task is difficult and, in order to achieve your goal as a developing company, you must first try to understand how cultural differences may affect your activity.
How we behave in the business world is subject to many studies, and according to a recent piece published in the Harvard Business Review, the communication is different from one culture to another. Also, you must not forget that in some cultures, women are more sensitive to this subject than men.
That’s why today we will focus on how women from different cultures react to certain work related situations. Also, we’ll try to explain how to avoid such situations and how to solve the issue without conflict.
Each culture behaves differently
The best example is the difference between western and eastern civilizations. In the US, regardless of the fact that you are a woman or a man, it’s more important to show your work related realizations and it is recommended to maintain a professional position during interviews. This seems normal to Europeans and even to the Nordic population.
However, if you are a manager from the US, looking to hire bilingual employees from eastern countries like India or Japan, you’ll have a huge surprise. Here, family and the people you know matter in the hiring process. For instance, a woman who comes from a well-known family and has a diploma from the best university in her country will definitely expect to be hired without question. Even more, she might feel offended if the manager asks to interview her.
Women in confrontations
As westerner women, we are thought to speak our mind and defend our ideas. However, this is not the case with all cultures and there will be situations when women will not react accordingly. One good example is the story of a manager who felt one of his employees (a woman from a different country) was not as communicative as he would’ve wanted her to be. After asking her at various times to confront him when she believed his ideas are wrong, she opened up and explained that this is forbidden in her culture. A woman must respect her husband, superior, and father and must never talk back. This was not a situation of abuse, just a very powerful tradition she wanted to follow.
Expressing their thoughts
Just like with the example mentioned above, there are cultures where women are thought to speak only when asked or keep their ideas to themselves. This way, even if one of your employees will observe a mistake in the plan or will have a great idea, she will prefer to remain silent and never share her thoughts.
As a manager, you must understand this behavior and try to address it with kindness and an open mind. Also, it is recommended to try reaching to your female employees using trainings and other techniques that may change their behavior at the workplace. It’s important to show them that your company welcomes new ideas and that everyone is invited to participate.
The solution: Understand and accept the differences
As a hiring manager it’s important to accept that in every culture, there is a difference between men and women in the workplace. Also, each culture brings something new and it’s your duty to understand and accommodate these differences in such a way that your business is not affected.
In the end, the final conclusion is that even though we look and behave quite the same, the place of origin will differentiate us from the rest of the world.
Edikan Uko is a business strategist and human capital management professional. She tweets from @EdikanUko.
