Business_Spotlight_No_04_August__

• BUSINESS SKlllS INlrERNA,TI()N'

mhers. They a lso rhink about

how ro communicate in a way

that builds understanding and

takes advantage of diverse points

of view, so that they then can

reach better resuhs.

Diversity is an oppormnity that

requires strategie planning. Most

international leaders focus tOO

narrow[y on shorI-term goals. As

a result, misunderstandings hap-

pen, solutions are overlooked,

and things get done less creative-

ly and more slowly.

Tips for managing diversity:

• Manage your behaviour, and both the positive and
  negative impact you ha"e o n others.


• Be aware of [he diversiry on offer. Discover the talents
  and mindsets in your team.


• Make the most of different opinions in your team, en-
  couraging people to bring together the best aspeets of
  different ideas.


• Spend time on relationships and trust building.


• Build a feed back culture in your o rganization in order
  that people can learn how ro work better together.

Diversity: test yourself

look at the list of international compelencies below·. Do

these descriptions match your own behaviour in international

w()(king contexts? Give yourself a personal ~ from 1 (the

lowest) 10 10 (the highest). For feedback, see page 42.

a) Meeting new people

I like to be the one who makes Ihe first conlacl and 10

build relationships with new people, including those I

who have different experiences, oerceolions and values.

I

bl Being flexible

Your $Core

o

I adapl easity to a riD.i.e. 01 different sodal and cultural

Situations. I am happy 10 experiment with different 0

ways 01 behaving to lind those that are most acceptable

and successlul. I

cl Focusing on object i'les
I set speclfic goals and tasks in International projecls,
and work with determination 10 achieve them, rw& 0
m.m. any problems or pressure to compromise.

d) Underslandi ng cultures
I lind time to learn about unlamiliar cultures and to
deepen my undefStanding 01 those lalready know. I use 0
different strategies, such as reading and asking col·
leagues an<! chenls.

el Managing diversity
I am ~ 10 the need lor a syslematic iOOfOiCh to
laciljtatjng teamwork to make sure that different cu 1- 0
tural perspectives are properly understood and used in
Ihe problem-solving J)!"ocess.

5. Vour international challenges
   Tbc internationallalldscapc is ch:lracterized by unter-
   tainry, complexity, paradoxes and diversity. As a result,
   inrernationalleaders need a range of srrategies to na"-
   igate both themsel"es and their organizarions towards
   successful business results. No single approach will be
   successful in all contextS, because leadership is sima·
   tional. Make sure that yOUT behaviour is whoHy ~
   tO your specific leadership contexr(s), so rhat you can
   produce positive resutts for yamsclf, your team and
   yOUT organization's balance sbeet. Il

approach [;)'prOKJ\D

balance sheel I'b.el;)ns Ji:tl

facilit,lIIe 5th. Ir;"l'sl!;)!!!"]

anred: be - 10 5th. [gl:KI 1

mindset I'mamdsel)

overlook 5th. 1,.;ov:;I'lokl

perceptioolp;)'sepJ'n]

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For more information

BOOtl:S

Herangehensweise

Bilanz

etw. unterstOtzen

auf etw. ausgerichtet sem

ElOstellung

etw. übefsehen

Auffassung

Spektrum

ohne RückSicht auf etw.

PunktzahCSewertung

senSibel auf elw. reagieren

kurzfristig -

• The Mindfullnternationill MJnager, Jeremy Comfort, Peter
  FrankIin, York Associates, ISBN 978-1-900991·18-6, !:15.95.


• ~ing GlobeSmart, Ernest Gundling, Davies-Black, ISBN
  978-0-89106-177-9, $29.95.
  WEBSITES
  .An interesting website that looks at al t ernative views on
  globalleadership http://www.worldlyleadership.org.uk
  . A useful site focusing on intercultural communication
  http://www.dialogin.com

[l[] You can practise this topic on Busmess Spotlight AUdio

Da You'lf lind related exercises in Business Spotlight plus

[..., 1 Watch our Iree Business with Bob series 01 videos lor

more tips on how 10 make your international meetings

successlul: http://www.business·spotllght.delvldeoslbob

BOB DIGNEN is one of the directofs 01 York Assoclates

(www.york-össoclötes.co.ukl. which speclallzes in

language, communication and intercultural trainmg.

Contact: bob.d [email protected]

4/2010