Different cultures and different concepts of Management
Posted by: Yusuf Salwati
Is there one style of Management that is suitable for every country and every culture?
Currently I am working in the Arabian Gulf Area, where you can find skills from various parts of the world with various cultural backgrounds, what style of management is suitable to manage this diverse workforce?
Working in this part of the world always makes me wonder “if I got a degree in management from the top business schools in the US, will I be able to implement what I have learned here?”
As a manager in a multi-national company, I have to work with a diverse group of people and unconsciously I hold them to the same level of quality as I would if I was in the US. Is this fair? I am trying to walk a fine balance of culture, ego and seniority.
In my staff I have people who are proud of their experience level and educational backgrounds but as a manager I don’t feel they are qualified enough for the job, but that’s only my views, a manager from different culture and different educational background, may find them to be well qualified workers.
What concepts of Management to use in this type of situation? How you provide your best without offending or sidelining some of your staff?
One important lesson I have learned is to lower my expectations or to change my views of quality levels to fit the minds around me.
A friend of mine, who has worked in the US, Europe and now in the Arabian Gulf, tells me he faces this situation everyday at his work, he said that “ as we get older or more educated, our ego takes control and we only want to see things done our ways”, he further added “ you maybe using the best management style, but it will do you no good if you are not willing to bring everyone involved to the same level.”
I was always proud, and I am still, of my degree that I have received in Management Information Systems, and I always thought that the management style I have used and learned in the US I will be able to apply it anywhere I go, but in my daily work here I have to put aside management convictions I always believed in and re-assess my style to fit with the new culture that I am working with.


