You're facing conflicts in a cross-functional team. How can you navigate differing work styles effectively?

In challenging situations like the cross-functional team conflict, direct communication fosters understanding and helps address core issues. Aligning with organizational goals and emphasizing collective benefits over individual conflicts is crucial. When teams recognize that success is a shared responsibility, projects thrive. Additionally, a dedicated TPM can play a valuable role in proactively managing and resolving such challenges, ensuring smoother project execution.

Successfully navigating different work styles hinges on two key factors. Firstly, establishing a common purpose. Take the time to discuss and align on what everyone is working towards. Understanding and agreeing on a shared goal is fundamental as without alignment, it can be challenging to effectively manage differing work styles. If you have consensus about your goal, the next step is to explore how everyone likes to work best. Ask the question ‘How do you work best and what do I need to know about that to get the best out of you on this project?’ Open dialogue of this nature sets a cross functional team up for success.

In a cross-functional team within a Chinese telecom manufacturing company selling to Brazilian telecom operators, managing differing work styles effectively is crucial for harmonious collaboration. Here are some strategies that could help navigate these dynamics: 1. Understand Cultural and Work Style Differences Chinese Work Style: Typically more hierarchical, with a focus on long-term planning, structured decision-making, and deference to senior management. Brazilian Work Style: Often more flexible and relationship-oriented, with a higher tolerance for ambiguity, focus on hybrid mode and a more relaxed approach to deadlines. Understanding these contrasts can help prevent misunderstandings.

Communicate. Ask your team and the other departments about communication styles on the first project meeting. Assure the door is open for anyone who wants to express they are neurodivergent in any way and incorporate any accommodations respectfully. Establish one universal preferred mode of communication. Establish frequency and length of communications desired. Establish OOO protocols. Once you collect all of this info and the sentiments of those working on the team; put it in writing. Put it in writing. Put it in writing. No, that was not a typo ;)