Global managers today require more than just technical skills and business expertise. Navigating diverse cultural landscapes, fostering collaboration among team members across borders, and building strong relationships demand a robust set of interpersonal skills.
Discover seven essential interpersonal skills every global manager should cultivate to drive success in an increasingly globalized workplace.
1. Flexibility
When managing a global team, understanding and appreciating cultural differences is a non-negotiable. Cultural intelligence (CQ) allows you to learn management styles that resonate with team members from diverse backgrounds, but to adapt, flexibility is key.
Tips to Promote Flexibility:
- Take time to learn about your team members’ cultural norms and customs.
- Attend intercultural communication workshops or training.
- Adapt your language and behavior to align with different cultural expectations.
Example: If your team includes members from different countries, you might adopt a direct communication style for some employees but a more reserved tone for others.
2. Active Listening
Great managers don’t just hear—they listen. Active listening is about fully engaging with your team members, understanding their perspectives, and asking thoughtful questions. It’s crucial for resolving misunderstandings and fostering mutual respect.
Tips for Active Listening:
- Avoid interrupting while someone is speaking.
- Reflect on what was said by paraphrasing key points.
- Maintain eye contact during video calls to show attentiveness.
Example: When a team member expresses frustration over a project deadline not being met, actively listen to their concerns rather than immediately offering a solution. This creates a sense of validation and opens the door to constructive discussion.
3. Empathy
You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view. Empathy is the ability to recognize the emotions your team members are experiencing. It helps build meaningful relationships and handle sensitive situations with care.
How Empathy Strengthens Global Teams:
- Acknowledges the unique pressures your employees may face, such as working odd hours to align with different time zones.
- Humanizes the relationship between leader and team members, creating trust.
- Bridges gaps during cultural misunderstandings.
Example: A remote employee shares that they’re struggling with a late-night meeting schedule. Empathy means understanding their situation and working together to find a solution that balances their needs with team requirements.
4. Clear Communication
Ambiguity can lead to costly mistakes, especially in diverse linguistic and communication styles. Clear, concise, and transparent communication is essential to keeping everyone aligned.
Ways to Improve Communication:
- Use simple and inclusive language in your messages to avoid misunderstandings.
- Summarize meeting discussions with actionable takeaways and next steps.
- Encourage your team to clarify when in doubt by creating a judgment-free environment.
Example: Instead of saying “finish this soon,” specify “complete the report by Friday at 5 PM GMT” to provide clarity for your globally distributed team.
5. Conflict Resolution
Conflicts are inevitable in any team. In fact, oftentimes they are encouraged as opportunities to learn and grow, and build stronger relationship. Managing disagreements effectively is a hallmark of a great leader. However, global teams present unique challenges, including varying norms around conflict and confrontation.
Steps to Navigate Conflicts Across Cultures:
- Identify the source of disagreement without assigning blame.
- Find common ground and focus on shared goals.
- Mediate with sensitivity, considering cultural attitudes toward conflict resolution.
Example: If a team member’s direct feedback style offends a colleague, the manager should mediate by helping both understand each other’s cultural perspectives and determine a collaborative way forward.
6. Adaptability
Global teams operate in a dynamic environment, requiring managers to navigate time zone challenges, cultural differences, and sudden business shifts. Successful leaders must think on their feet and adapt priorities effectively.
How to Stay Adaptable:
- Be comfortable with change and maintain a positive attitude during transitions.
- Encourage team feedback to refine and improve your leadership approach.
- Develop contingency plans to mitigate unforeseen challenges.
Example: When a supply-chain delay impacts a multinational project’s timeline, you adapt by reassigning portions of the workflow to maintain momentum.
7. Influence and Motivation
Global teams look to their leaders for guidance and inspiration. Strong interpersonal influence and motivational skills unite teams around a shared purpose, distinguishing true leadership from mere management.
How to Inspire your Global Team:
- Celebrate achievements and milestones, no matter how small.
- Share the “why” behind every project to cultivate commitment.
- Lead by example, embodying the values and work ethic you wish to instil.
Example: A manager shares success stories of other global teams within the organization to uplift team morale and emphasize the importance of their efforts.
How to Hone Your Interpersonal Skills
Building these skills doesn’t happen overnight, but with practice, you and your team can become the kind of leaders employees want to follow. And remember, the better your interpersonal skills, the stronger and more united everyone in the organization will become.
Here are some actionable steps:
- Invest in Training: Invest in communication skills training that focuses not only on interpersonal skills but also on cultural intelligence, and advocate for your team to get training too.
- Seek Feedback: Regularly ask your team for input on your leadership approach. Constructive criticism is a gift!
- Leverage Technology: Use collaborative tools like Slack, Zoom, and Miro to foster connection and communication.
- Prioritize Relationships: Take time to know your team members personally—it builds trust and strengthens bonds.
Inspire, Lead, Succeed
Looking to sharpen you and your team’s leadership skills? Explore our expert-led communication skills training programs, and in particular, our newly enhanced interpersonal skills training portfolio of courses, designed to foster global team management here.
The investment you make in your team today will drive the success of your business tomorrow.
