Managing Diversity : Interculturality in the Workplace

When you choose to set up a business abroad, many criteria must be taken into account since each country operates differently in terms of taxation, accounting, management, etc. But what about the multicultural aspect?

Interculturality, a fundamental aspect

Indeed, interculturality in the working world is often neglected by entrepreneurs and yet it is essential to succeed in setting up a real business and to lead a work team thanks to a real intercultural communication. It is therefore essential to do everything possible to adapt to differences and accept them while contributing one’s own vision.

Once established, intercultural management seems to be one of the keys to success abroad. First of all, it is important to be open and to listen to one’s team and/or interlocutor, but also and above all to avoid judgments.

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The keys to effective management of diversity

To achieve effective management in a new context, and to work with a new team in Spain, it is important to take into account certain aspects.

First of all, it is necessary to adapt one’s working methods to the Spanish culture and especially to know how to take distance to understand situations and avoid misunderstandings. It is also important to be attentive and to listen to what is said in order to create real relationships of trust and good team cohesion.

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Take into account the diversity and heterogeneity of the country:

To be a good international manager in a multicultural company, be careful not to generalize, Spain is one country but it is made up of autonomous communities each with its own resources and customs. Find out about the region and local traditions, which may also be different.

Consider that Spain is not a homogeneous country but a sum of regions in which one does not work in the same way and for which one must therefore consider a specific approach from the cultural point of view, but also from the legal point of view. Relying initially on local knowledge or local representatives could be an option. It takes time to adapt and understand the cultural mechanisms. It is therefore important to have good “supports” who will guide you to avoid mistakes.

Decision-making and distance from power:

In Spain, decisions are made at the top of the company and delegated to employees. However, during meetings, everyone is invited to participate and give their ideas about the projects in progress.

Employees generally do not like competitive situations, so it is important to avoid forcing them to compete with each other. In fact, over time, work relationships and/or friendships are created that generate a good atmosphere at work. They are used to working together and developing strong relationships and bonds.

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The relationship to time:

Spain and France have very different relationships with time. Indeed, in Spain the process of negotiating a date for example will be more important than the choice of the date itself. Once again, the relationship is very important. They are generally very flexible in terms of schedules and it is very important for a successful management to know how to adapt to the collective rhythm: the working hours are indeed not the same, especially those of the meals which are often shifted of approximately two hours after those of France. It will therefore be very difficult to apply French organizational standards.

Intercultural communication for good relations:

Knowing how to speak and handle the language is essential, but not only that. Indeed, in Spain, people do not speak the same Spanish as in Latin America, for example, where the language is often more formal and the hierarchical distance in the world of work is more important. The use of “usted” is not always de rigueur between colleagues in Spain, relationships are often more informal.

Spaniards attach great importance to the character of the person with whom they work and/or do business. Therefore, they will need some time to get to know you. Good personal relationships are therefore very important in work relationships.

In conclusion

For a successful intercultural management and team management: be adaptable to your new work environment, take into account the diversity of cultures that form your work team in order to ensure cooperation despite the differences and to put forward the potential resources that this diversity offers.