the members. I remember a team building activity where we went to a baseball game our international team. While the Americans and Latins loved the opportunity, our French Morrocan partner participated but did not enjoy the event. However, at other times we went to soccer games, French cooking lessons, bowling, and a great variety of other actiWhile managing a multicultural workforce while working overseas, I have seen the advantages multiculturalism brings to an organization. However, these advantages do not always happen naturally. Our department was able to find ways to benefit from a multicultural group in order to maximize our performance. I believe that a manager must create a strong sense of team, while respecting the differences of the individual cultures represented in the team.

A multicultural work unit has the potential of bringing people together with a wide range of experiences and ideas. This provides a team with the potential of discovering new ideas and approaches to address business issues. The potential is for the team to find new approaches and ideas, combining the different backgrounds in ways that generate better outcomes than more homogenous groups may be able to find.

However, a manager must take time to develop the environment where these groups can work cohesively together. First the leader (and team) must establish the values of the group. If there is not a value for difference or a reluctance to listen and try new ideas, those from a minority viewpoint or cultural reference may be reluctant to participate.

Energy must also be taken to establish a sense of team. Since the group is not homogenous it may be more difficult for a leader to establish a commonality among the members. I remember a team building activity where we went to a baseball game our international team. While the Americans and Latins loved the opportunity, our French Morrocan partner participated but did not enjoy the event. However, at other times we went to soccer games, French cooking lessons, bowling, and a great variety of other activ

strong sense of team, while respecting the differences of the individual cultures represented in the team.

A multicultural work unit has the potential of bringing people together with a wide range of experiences and ideas. This provides a team with the potential of discovering new ideas and approaches to address business issues. The potential is for the team to find new approaches and ideas, combining the different backgrounds in ways that generate better outcomes than more homogenous groups may be able to find.

However, a manager must take time to develop the environment where these groups can work cohesively together. First the leader (and team) must establish the values of the group. If there is not a value for difference or a reluctance to listen and try new ideas, those from a minority viewpoint or cultural reference may be reluctant to participate.

Energy must also be taken to establish a sense of team. Since the group is not homogenous it may be more difficult for a leader to establish a commonality among the members. I remember a team building activity where we went to a baseball game our international team. While the Americans and Latins loved the opportunity, our French Morrocan partner participated but did not enjoy the event. However, at other times we went to soccer games, French cooking lessons, bowling, and a great variety of other acti

al is for the team to find new approaches and ideas, combining the different backgrounds in ways that generate better outcomes than more homogenous groups may be able to find.

However, a manager must take time to develop the environment where these groups can work cohesively together. First the leader (and team) must establish the values of the group. If there is not a value for difference or a reluctance to listen and try new ideas, those from a minority viewpoint or cultural reference may be reluctant to participate.

Energy must also be taken to establish a sense of team. Since the group is not homogenous it may be more difficult for a leader to establish a commonality among the members. I remember a team building activity where we went to a baseball game our international team. While the Americans and Latins loved the opportunity, our French Morrocan partner participated but did not enjoy the event. However, at other times we went to soccer games, French cooking lessons, bowling, and a great variety of other acti

the group. If there is not a value for difference or a reluctance to listen and try new ideas, those from a minority viewpoint or cultural reference may be reluctant to participate.

Energy must also be taken to establish a sense of team. Since the group is not homogenous it may be more difficult for a leader to establish a commonality among the members. I remember a team building activity where we went to a baseball game our international team. While the Americans and Latins loved the opportunity, our French Morrocan partner participated but did not enjoy the event. However, at other times we went to soccer games, French cooking lessons, bowling, and a great variety of other acti

the members. I remember a team building activity where we went to a baseball game our international team. While the Americans and Latins loved the opportunity, our French Morrocan partner participated but did not enjoy the event. However, at other times we went to soccer games, French cooking lessons, bowling, and a great variety of other activities to give some members of the team time to share interests with other members. This helps to strengthen the team.

Once the values, ground rules and sharing begins I believe that a multicultural team can generate much improved solutions for a group or a company.

References:
Alder, N.J. (1983). Cross cultural management: Issues to be faced. International Journal of Management and Organization. 13 (1-2), pp. 7-45