How transparency and openness can break down cultural barriers

I started my career with HP as a student. Today, I have been with the company for nearly 22 years. In my current role, I work as a Product Manager for the CPQ transformation project and am responsible for the integration of science-based pricing models into the CPQ infrastructure.

With team members located across the world, I must admit that remote work does get exhausting at times. For those of us at HP in worldwide operating teams, this was already the case before COVID. But it definitely got?exacerbated?during the period when everybody was working from home.?

Since starting with HP, I’ve worked with colleagues from various countries around the world such as Singapore, Malaysia, India, United Kingdom, France, Barcelona, Spain, Romania, and the United States. It’s something that adds value to my career and for which I’m really grateful.

The two obvious challenges in working with teams around the world are the differences in time and languages.

Having a work-life balance with enough time for your family, friends, and yourself is key for a successful and motivated business team. I don’t like keeping people working late or on weekends. It’s not something I’d want for myself or for others. But given the fact that some of us start our days when others are finishing theirs, it can be inevitable.

Language can be a slightly easier obstacle given that most of us speak English, although it may not be our native language. So it’s natural that people tend to be shy or more reticent in another language. In addition, our communication often deals with technical complexity which makes things more challenging. I believe the ability to simplify the complex and structure the content is a crucial game changer especially when you have to translate it into another language.

I always strive to make things as transparent and clear as possible.?It’s also just as necessary to be?patient with each other while communicating. If things seem to be getting lost in translation, it’s vital to ask questions, rephrase things, get feedback, ask for confirmation – all in a patient and courteous manner. We cannot sacrifice patience for transparency or the other way round. Both are critical to ensure a smooth and seamless exchange of ideas.

In my role, I translate business needs into technical requirements. But I also see myself as a mediator between teams in different regions, cultures, and business areas.

If we don’t understand the cultural context, it can often cause misunderstandings and ruffle feathers. Being able to understand the other person, their individual situation and background, a willingness to share our own perspectives and being a good listener are all key qualities. They help us realize that at the end of the day, we are all following the same goals and want to be satisfied with the result of our work.

In my experience, conducting communication in smaller groups helps us break down barriers. In groups of over five, I find that some of the quieter, shyer colleagues are sometimes reluctant to contribute. They may actually have a lot to add, but they don’t speak up because they may be intimidated by the group size.

To share an example of a cultural stumbling block, I was once part of a team comprised roughly of 20% Europeans and Americans with the majority of our colleagues from various Asian markets. I found that it was often quite difficult getting an Asian counterpart to give a direct answer. This??went against my expectations of achieving transparency and openness within the team for all the team members. It was quite likely the result of cultural differences, but it taught me the valuable skill of how to get someone to open up. I found that by sharing my own experiences, I could elicit openness and sharing from others. In such a situation, you need to find the best way to communicate. It can’t be a one-size-fits-all approach.

I’m grateful that working at HP has presented me with so many opportunities to work across different cultures and meet interesting people, even resulting in friendships and mentorships. It has also made me a better communicator as well as more patient and understanding. HP’s innate culture and values create a safe place to be yourself and at the same time, learn how to adjust to and respect other cultures, values and perspectives.

Julia Hartmann

Product Manager of CPQ Transformation,?Germany

#culturaldifferences

#diversity

#inclusion

#diverseworkplace

#diverseworkforce

#languagebarriers

#transparency

#openness