How to Effectively Manage a Global and Diverse Team

We live in a very exciting time when it comes to working: geographical bounds have been broken and we can now access a myriad of remote talent across the globe. 

While some companies are returning to the old way of working by asking employees back to physical offices and developing hybrid work environments, we’re embracing the new world of work here at River North. 

The benefits of embracing a fully remote team are numerous but the single greatest benefit has been the diversity of thought and experience that we have been able to bring to our team. 

Take time to understand cultural differences and nuances

We could write an entire series on cultural differences given the complexities that can arise. 

An iceberg is an often-used metaphor when it comes to culture. There are some aspects of culture we can observe like behaviors and practices. They only represent a small part of what’s at play. Underneath the surface, there are long-held values, beliefs, and perceptions shaped by collective experiences such as local education systems, politics, socioeconomic factors, etc. 

When managing a global team, it’s important to recognize both the individual on your team and their culture. For example, do you have people on your team from a high-context society or low-context? 

By understanding cultural nuances and adapting your style accordingly, you can increase productivity and job satisfaction for your team members. 

Prioritize communications (in some cases that means overcommunication)

We all know it can be easier to call out to the desk or the office next to you to ask a quick question, which is something we undeniably lose when fully remote. 

However, we can make up for those small interactions by leveraging the tools available to us (more on that below) and communicating often. It’s also important to recognize the power of non-work-related check-ins. 

While we all have things to get done and a quick Slack or WhatsApp message may do the trick, it’s important to not lose all pleasantries. A quick check on how the person is before asking for what you need is never unwelcome.

It’s also important to schedule regular check-ins with your team, as a whole and individually. Individual check-ins give you a chance to get to know your team and connect on a deeper level. It can help you better understand their cultural constructs! 

Frequent, effective communication helps you address challenges before they become larger issues. 

Use the right tools

If there’s one thing the pandemic taught us when it comes to communication tools, it’s that every tool is right for your business. 

From centralizing communication, files, and deadlines, it’s much easier to have a broad view of what your team is working on and where roadblocks lie. 

At River North, we use WhatsApp for daily communications, with different groups set up for clients and the internal team.

For project management, we use a mix of email, Google Docs, and ClickUp. While we may assign something out in an email, we always make sure to add it to ClickUp, complete with a deadline. Doing this makes our team meetings more efficient. It provides us with a sense of what’s going on per client, as well as per team member. It also ensures no one is overloaded while still getting things done. 

Be flexible and adjust your expectations

Flexibility doesn’t just relate to managing a globally distributed team. Adopting a malleable leadership style is helpful no matter where your team sits. 

Flexibility contributes to a more productive and positive work environment and also helps to breed innovation and creative thinking – all “must-haves” in the communications field. 

It’s important to stay curious, both about your clients and your business. Curiosity means asking questions, listening to other points of voice, and exploring options without judgment before you make a decision. This helps with developing an understanding of other cultures (see above). 

Our team members are located in the US, Canada, the Philippines, and Ukraine. In recent months, team members have had operating challenges with connectivity and electricity. 

By remaining flexible and understanding when and how our team members can work, we are able to balance deadlines and meet expectations for work. 

To infinity and beyond! (disney, please don’t sue me)

It’s been wonderful building a diverse and global team. We are small but mighty. 

As we continue to grow, I personally can’t wait until we can add more seasoned practitioners from all corners of the world. It helps us grow personally and professionally and more importantly, it helps our clients tell stories in new ways and get the recognition that they deserve. 

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