Leadership style
Different cultures have radically different expectations of their leaders, so leaders of multicultural teams must consider whether their own approach will work with all team members. Some cultures seem happiest with leaders who are dictatorial, even autocratic – France and Germany being examples of these. Status in these countries derives from competence rather than personality. Such leaders give clear instructions, often written, and then often leave people alone to do their work. Orders are obeyed out of respect for the boss’s functional role and competence.
American leaders often reserve the right to become autocratic, and are directive rather than consultative. American bosses do not welcome argument or open disagreement from their subordinates, regarding this as insubordination rather than constructive criticism. Leaders in the UK feel they have a right to manage, but conventionally mask orders in the guise of polite requests. They take personal responsibility for results.
Japanese leaders take great pains to avoid being seen as forceful. They are generally respected because of their age or status, but still have to be competent or they will be sidelined. They concentrate on getting the team to work together and are an integral part of it, sharing their information and knowledge and being accessible.
In Italy, authority is based on personal qualities and having the ear of the owner rather than on technical competence. A leader’s most important role is implementation and control, rather than decision-making or strategy. Many Italians consider that they can do their job better than their bosses and have to be personally committed to doing what they are asked, or they will not do it.