Thanks to global development, more and more companies are operating in international markets, which involves the need for collaboration among people from different parts of the world. However, working in an international team brings many benefits — a 2020 report by McKinsey & Company shows that ethnically and gender-diverse teams have the greatest potential to outperform competitors, but under certain conditions. Cross-cultural communication presents huge challenges for such teams, which most of them cannot overcome without prior preparation. In this article, we will discuss the difficulties that may arise when working in an international team, as well as effective strategies to help improve productivity and harmony within the group.

Working in International Teams or with Foreign Clients

Working in international teams can take many forms. It might involve working under the leadership of a foreign manager or collaborating with company branches located in different parts of the world. We also often encounter mergers and acquisitions of international companies. Large multinational corporations primarily focus on serving clients from all over the world.

Each of these situations brings its own challenges and requires us to adapt to different cultural norms while also finding an effective middle ground when it comes to communication.

What difficulties may arise?

One of the most common problems in working for an international company is language barriers. In such organizations, fluent English, both spoken and written, is usually required. However, even if all team members speak the same language, their proficiency levels can vary — we’re talking about vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, or even understanding of certain words. This can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations of messages, and stress, which significantly hinders smooth communication.

Cultural differences

Cultural differences encompass many aspects, such as preferred communication styles, social norms, values, and attitudes toward work itself. In the United States, communication is typically much more direct and open than what we know in Europe, while in other parts of the world, like Japan, communication is far more formal and requires sensitivity and subtlety in dealing with the interlocutor. In this cultural context, what remains unsaid often carries great importance.

Work culture

Work culture can differ significantly across countries. For some nations, collectivism is much more important than individualism, so teamwork may play a major role. This influences how projects are executed and decisions are made. Other differences may involve approaches to hierarchy, preferred motivation systems, giving feedback, or ways of resolving conflicts.

Different approach to work-life balance

It is important to remember that different cultures have different attitudes toward work-life balance. In some cultures, respecting set working hours and valuing employees’ private time is a priority. In others, there is more flexibility, including longer working hours, staying late, or working weekends, often seen as a sign of dedication. In some countries, strict separation of work and private life is expected and legally protected, whereas in others this approach may be less pronounced.

At workshops and training on cultural differences and communication, Kasia Szełemej-Pobożniak will show you how to handle these differences while respecting both cultural diversity and your own boundaries. This way, you can better understand the work ethos in other countries and adapt to the specifics of international collaboration.

Different working hours

There are many challenges in international work: from politics, economics, and laws to values and, as mentioned, differences in balancing free time and work. Added to this are practical issues like… time zones. Collaborating with partners from other continents can complicate scheduling meetings, setting deadlines, and synchronizing activities. This requires great flexibility and excellent time management to find solutions satisfactory to all parties.

Our training helps you master these challenges by teaching how to manage differences in working hours and communicate effectively in an international environment.

How to work efficiently in an international team?

Problems exist to be solved, so even the biggest challenges arising from working with people from different cultures can be overcome together. Here are some ways to help:

• Communication training – This approach is extremely effective and engaging because it offers support and professional mentoring. The training available in our offer (https://haxel.pl/en/intercultural-training-for-companies/) is highly effective, as it helps understand the mindset of people from different cultures and, most importantly, find a “common language.” More details can also be found on the website: https://kasiaszelemej.pl/en/.
• Establishing common communication rules – Whether during intercultural communication training and workshops or outside of them, effective communication requires agreeing on certain rules together. Basic points include choosing the language for communication or preferred channels for verbal and written communication.
• Flexibility and openness – Both qualities are essential when working with people of different backgrounds, religions, or ethnicities. It is important to be ready to adapt and show mutual respect. Openness to feedback and willingness to learn about different cultures can significantly improve team efficiency.
• Technology and tools that streamline work – Technological advancements have greatly simplified working in an international environment by speeding up information flow and enabling video meetings and real-time collaboration. Tools like Trello, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Asana, or Google Workspace allow globally dispersed teams to effectively manage projects, communicate, and share files. Investing in the right tech tools improves team synchronization, eliminates communication barriers, and increases efficiency—especially important in a dynamic international setting.
• Regular meetings and team building – Regular video conferences help lighten the atmosphere, build relationships, and maintain smooth communication. This is time to set goals, discuss important matters, and solve arising problems. We should also not forget about more informal meetings, which are crucial for building friendly relations at work. Companies operating on a smaller scale, in one city or country, have this task easier, but for firms employing people worldwide, all is not lost. Fortunately, there are incentive agencies like Haxel that organize overseas incentive trips.