If you’re in charge of more than one team, chances are you’ll come across members with different backgrounds and experiences. Depending on how you handle the differences, this can be both an asset and a liability. Here are 10 best practices to help you manage teams with different backgrounds effectively and gain the best results out of each team member.
1) Provide Professional Development Opportunities
- Offer opportunities for employees to learn new skills that can help them in their current roles and prepare them for future roles.
- Use super apps or free live chat apps to provide instant messaging and boost productivity.
- Encourage teamwork by investing in team collaboration software or hosting regular business meetings.
- Recognize the importance of a diverse organization and work to boost employee motivation by valuing different perspectives.
2) Coach them and be transparent
It’s important to remember that not everyone comes from the same background or has the same experiences. So, it’s important to coach your team and be transparent about your expectations. An instant messaging app can help with communication and team productivity. And, of course, teamwork makes the dream work!
3) Celebrate wins with everyone
Celebrating wins is a great way to build team morale and keep everyone on their toes. But when you have a team with different backgrounds, it’s important to be aware of cultural differences and make sure everyone feels included. Here are some tips for celebrating the win without offending anyone:
- Invite all the players for snacks after the game (regardless of whether they participated)
- Be mindful that certain food may not be appropriate for someone from another culture
- Don’t over-celebrate with people who were on the winning team in case they were also playing against them earlier in the day
- Include people who were playing against your team by thanking them for an awesome game or complimenting them on something they did well
4) Train your managers
One of the best ways to ensure that your managers are prepared to manage teams with different backgrounds is to provide training. This training should cover topics like cultural competence, team dynamics, and effective communication. By arming your managers with the tools they need to be successful, you can help create a more cohesive and productive workplace.
5) Use data to track performance
To manage a team effectively, you need to be able to track performance. This data can help you identify areas where team members are struggling and where they excel. By tracking performance, you can make changes to the way you manage your team to improve results.
6) Regularly check in with team members
As the team leader, it’s important to regularly check in with each team member to see how they’re doing and if they need any help. This is especially important if you have team members with different backgrounds, as they may not be used to working with each other. By checking in, you can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working together effectively.
7) Incorporate culture into everything you do
From the way you onboard new team members to the way you run team meetings, it’s important to incorporate culture into everything you do. This will help ensure that everyone feels comfortable and respected and that the team can work together effectively.
8) Offer equal opportunities, including flexible hours and remote work time
Managing a team with different backgrounds can be difficult, but there are some best practices you can follow to make it easier. First, offer equal opportunities to all employees, including flexible hours and remote work time. This will help ensure that everyone feels included and valued. Second, provide adequate training on cultural sensitivity and unconscious bias. This will help employees understand and respect each other’s differences. Third, create an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected.
9) Respect differences, culturally and personally
One of the best things you can do as a manager is to respect the differences between your team members. Whether those differences are cultural or personal, they should be respected. Here are five ways you can do that
- Have conversations with people on your team and get to know them.
- Celebrate diversity in the workplace.
- Embrace different perspectives and values in meetings by inviting everyone’s input and including their thoughts in decision-making.
- Conduct one-on-one meetings with employees who might not feel comfortable sharing their thoughts in group settings.
- Create opportunities for cross-cultural understanding.
10) Don’t discuss differences – use them as opportunities to grow together
One of the best things about working with a team that has different backgrounds is that you have the opportunity to learn from each other. But, it’s important not to let differences in opinion or experience lead to conflict. Instead, use these differences as opportunities to grow together.
Final Thought
In today’s business world, it’s more important than ever to be able to manage teams with different backgrounds. By following these best practices, you’ll be well on your way to success.
