To Manage a Diverse Team of Managers

To manage a diverse team of managers we first must understand the culture and background that these managers are from. We must be sensitive to their needs. We also must identify the culture, politics, economics, legal and technology of each country so we can fully understand how we must do business in these countries.

The most known study analyzing cultural differences and synthesizing culture similarities is the work of Geert Hofstede known as Hofstede's Five Dimensions. (Griffin and Pustay, 2005 pg 104) His study is divided into Five Dimensions known as Social, Power, Uncertainty, Goal and Time Orientation. (Griffin and Pustay, 2005 pg 104)

"The management control system is to be designed or modified to reflect differences in culture." (Lere and Portz) For instance some countries rely on group efforts while places like the United States tend to delegate tasks. (Lere and Portz)

The way we cope with this diversity of managers is being able and willing to modify company policy and/or standards to meet the needs of the culture we are working with.

References:

Griffin, Ricky W. and Pustay, Michael W., 2005, "International Business", by Pearson Education, Inc, Upper Saddle River, NJ

John C. Lere and Kris Portz, "Management Control Systems in a Global Economy" retrieved from the CPA Journal Online on November 25, 2005 from http://www.nysscpa.org/cpajournal/2005/905/essentials/p62.htm