ABSTRACT
Overview
The impact of multiple cultures on communications in the virtual team is significant enough to merit a separate chapter of this book—Chapter 4. As the 21st century unfolds, global growth continues to present challenges. By understanding cultural differences globally and within the organization, the project manager can work toward increasing efficiency and productivity by using progressive communication skills and techniques. This chapter explores how the primary dimensions of culture affect our global conversations and how the e-leader can effectively integrate multiple cultures to provide the best possible culture for teams. There is a section that reviews how the virtual manager can lead the new or transitioning work-from-home team member most effectively Topics covered include cultures within the organization; organization and national cultures; globalization and communication; communication across cultures; topics such as cultural fluency, use of language and words, time zones, age, religion, second language, gender, and disabilities; and flexibility in communicating within multicultural teams.
