How to Make

Multicultural Working
Groups More Effective

…….
Department of Project Management,
Northeastern University, Toronto
PJM-6900, CRN- 22373, Foundation of
Professional Communication
Dr. ………..
March 9, 20….
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 1. Introduction

2. The importance of Team work to students’ learning

3. Advantage and Disadvantage of the team working to students'

performance
CONTENTS 4. The impact of cultural differences on group performance

5. Self Experience of Teamwork for live Discussion

6. How to make multicultural working groups more effective?

7. What are the important teamwork skills?

8. The Effective Communication Techniques

9. Conclusion

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1. Introduction
Why work in a group?

The opportunity to work in a group is a critical component of

your university study. Group work is encouraged at
universities because it is an effective and powerful method of
learning. Also it is very applicable in the job.

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2. The importance of Team work to students’ learning

The importance of Team work to students’ learning are (Four

benefits of teamwork for student development & success, 2019):

1. Ensures the education of essential social skills

2. Enhances one's self-confidence

3. Decreases activities of bullying

4. Prepares students for future successfulness

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1.

3.AdvantageandDisadvantageoftheteamworkingtostudents'performance

The advantages are (6 benefits of teamwork in the workplace,

2021):
1. Be More effective

2. More resources will be available to group

members

3. The result is more reliable

4. Acquire new information

5. Group members are introduced to new methods

6. Team members exchange information with each

other

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3. Advantage and Disadvantage of the team working to students'
performance(Cont. )

The disadvantages are (6 benefits of teamwork in the workplace,

2021):
1. Team commitment is sometimes low and Participation is
unequal

2. There is internal conflict

3. Things are done without individual thinking

4. Decisions take time

5. Avoid work is easy

6. Creativity is reduced

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4.The impact of cultural differences on group performance

According to Hunley et al. (2018), the significant impacts

are:

1. Lack of awareness of the cultural dimensions of group

members

2. Lack of communication for different language of the

group members

3. Different behaviors and non-verbal cues of group

members

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5. Self Experience of Teamwork for live Discussion

The challenges that my teammates and I faced during the Live

Discussion are:

1. Lack of understanding of how to lead the team

2. Lack of trust in each other

3. Mispronunciation of words by team members

4. Lack of responsibility in some team members

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6. How to make multicultural working groups more effective?

Hunley et al. (2018) suggested:

1. Using a common language to communicate.

2. Paying attention to the ability of people to use a second language and helping people to increase
their skills.

3. Raise awareness and respect for the culture of each team member.

4. Understanding of the cultural behaviors and non-verbal cues of each member.

5. Build sensory and cognitive trust between team members.

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6. How to make multicultural working groups more effective ?(Cont. )

6. Awareness of the importance of each of the following four dimensions in the culture of each
member:

6.1.Power distance

6.2. avoiding uncertainty

6.3. individualism-collectivism,

6.4. attention to gender

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7. What are the important teamwork skills (Indeed Editorial Team, 2020)?

Communication

Collaboration Responsibility

Awareness

Empathy
Honesty

Active listening

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8. The Effective Communication Techniques

According to Meyer (2015), the essential techniques are:

1. Identifying the method of expressing opposition

2. Identifying the method of expressing emotions
3. Identifying ways to build trust in the other members
4. Refraining from asking questions that answer yes or no
5. Identifying the extent of the commitment of the members to the
objectives of the team

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9. Conclusion

We can use the following suggestions to make a working group influential:

Members of a team must communicate clearly and professionally to achieve common team goals
and learn new knowledge.

Members need to learn Teamwork Skills to communicate with others.

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 Four benefits of teamwork for student development & success. (2019). Los Angeles All
Girls Private Middle & High School Marlborough.
https://www.marlborough.org/news/~board/stem/post/four-benefits-of-teamwork-for-stud
ent-development-success

Hunley, B., Chakraborty, S., & MacDonald, S. (2018). The impact of cultural
communication on team performance. Engineering and Technology Management
Students Projects. 1914, Available at: http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/24565

References Indeed Editorial Team. (2020, March 26). Teamwork skills: Definition and examples.
Indeed Career Guide.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/teamwork-skills

Meyer, E. (2015). Getting to si, ja, oui, hai, and da. Harvard Business Review, 93(12),
46-49.

6 benefits of teamwork in the workplace. (2021, June 9). Sandler Training.

https://www.sandler.com/blog/6-benefits-of-teamwork-in-the-workplace/

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