These tips were published by the Harvard Business Review.
Know the cultural norms of each employee
First and foremost, as a manager, you should know the specifics of each of your subordinates. You should always know this anyway but it is doubly true with a culturally diverse team. This is the only way to ensure you are doing everything you can so that cultural differences in your workforce are tolerated to an acceptable degree.
Ensure inclusive communication within the team
In order to make all team members feel comfortable, it is essential to ensure non-confrontational, tolerant and inclusive communication within the team. What might seem like an acceptable joke to one person may grossly offend another.
Ensure the team's customs and processes do not discriminate against anyone
The processes and rules that prevail in your team should not be set up a priori to discriminate against anyone. Use your knowledge of the cultural norms of your subordinates and, where possible, set up team processes so that no one has to choose between following team rules or their own cultural practices.
Offer maximum flexibility
As the manager of a culturally diverse team, you should offer subordinates as much flexibility as possible in their work so that each of them can do their job while still adhering to their cultural practices.
Set simple but clear rules and expectations
Team leadership is not just about meeting the needs of subordinates; it is also about meeting goals and maintaining team productivity. Therefore, you should bring your team together by setting basic, clear and simple rules that give all subordinates clear boundaries within which they can operate and implement their cultural specifics.
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