EMPLOYER TOOLKIT
BUSINESS MULTI-CULTURAL TEAMS
Things workers from different cultures say about the way they work What would you say about how you work?
How I like to work
Making the mix work Words by: Anne Lee
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t’s been a tough couple of years for managing teams on dairy farms around the country with major staff shortages increasing stress levels and stealing away the time that could have been spent inducting new staff and helping the team get to know each other. But it’s never too late and for those with multi-cultural teams there’s a whole other dimension of complexity to setting up a harmonious workplace. Megan Bates is Beef + Lamb Southern South Island extension manager and has just completed a Kellogg Leadership study into managing multi-cultural teams in the agriculture sector. She’s had first hand experience, living on the dairy farm her partner manages in Southland where European New Zealanders, Māori, Filipino, Irish and Chilean cultures are all represented. Her partner is Irish and she says there have been times where it’s been easy to misread situations because of cultural differences or interpret comments in completely the wrong way. That can create some interesting moments but put that into a work situation and throw in the stress of having to get lots of jobs done quickly, especially at this time of the year, along with being physically tired, possibly separated from loved ones and the whole dynamic can get tense at best or even explosive. Megan says her study – which included an online survey of 48 respondents and semi-structured interviews with 10 farmers – found that 85% of agricultural teams were multicultural with the average number of cultures at three. Of those 56% could think of a time when there had been cultural challenges and of those 48% were related to language barriers. 28
I show respect by not looking my boss in the eye.
I think it is rude to ask the boss questions.
I like to know exactly what I have to do and that my job is secure. I will work hard and stick by my employer.
I often ask direct questions as I like to get things right.
I like to know exactly what the rules are and will stick to them and get the job done. I do not like surprises.
I am usually quiet in meetings until I am asked to speak.
I like to call everyone by their first name. I expect to be consulted and want things to be fair.
I like to know who is in charge and who the big boss is. I do not usually address people older or more senior than me by their first name.
I do not like being told what to do all the time.
I use quite a bit of slang and often make suggestions without being asked.
Source: Employer toolkit www.immigration.govt.nz/employ-migrants/guides/ inz2-guides-employer-toolkit.pdf
Her study reiterated findings of others that multi-cultural teams rely heavily on those in leadership positions to set them up for success. She says 88% of survey participants touched on effective management as being a factor in creating strong multi-cultural teams. Megan says those who manage workplaces with a number of cultures need a clear understanding of how to be inclusive of all their members, taking into account their cultural backgrounds and how they prefer to work. Effective management included clear expectations, organisation, communication, support and education as well as relationship building by creating social activities. “Cultural diversity within a team can bring a number of strengths along with some challenges that need empathy, problem-solving and patience to resolve them.
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Managing multi-cultural teams survey, 2021
• “Fair rosters and workload, good communication, flexibility, clear rules, calling out casual racism quickly (even if it’s friendly), casual and frequent meetings so everyone is comfortable asking questions and discussing problems.” • “We make sure we use multiple methods of communication.” • “We have a wealth of experience from all over the world and the team is more productive.”
“Learn how to have culturally revealing conversations with your team members and really listen to what they’re saying,” she says. Culturally revealing conversations
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | September 2021
