Cross-Cultural Communication at an All-Remote Workspace - Internal panel with GitLab team members

Summary

The panel discussion, hosted by GitLab's Learning and Development team, delves into cross-cultural communication strategies within an all-remote workspace. Panelists from diverse backgrounds share personal experiences and insights on integrating individual cultures with the company culture. They discuss the impact of cultural differences on management and communication styles, emphasizing the importance of personalization, clear and concise written collaboration, and overcoming biases. The conversation highlights the significance of practicing allyship, psychological safety, and cultural awareness to foster a more inclusive and supportive remote work environment. The session also addresses the challenges of building rapport in cross-cultural contexts and the value of being open to learning from others' experiences.

Takeaways

• 😀 The panel discussion focused on cross-cultural communication in an all-remote workspace, emphasizing the importance of understanding and incorporating individual cultures within the company culture.
• 🌐 GitLab's diverse user base is mirrored in its team, which contributes to language localization, product understanding, and a broader perspective on communication styles.
• 📚 The company provides training to help employees understand inherent biases and promote a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• 💡 It's important for managers to adapt their communication styles to suit the needs of their team members, who come from various cultural backgrounds.
• 🗣️ Clear and concise written communication is crucial in a remote environment, as it helps to mitigate misunderstandings that can arise from language differences.
• 👂 Assuming positive intent is a key value at GitLab and is essential for effective cross-cultural communication, especially when misunderstandings occur.
• 👥 Personalization is important in cross-cultural collaboration, as each individual has a unique background that influences their work style and communication preferences.
• 🌟 Celebrating and recognizing team members' contributions in line with company values helps to reinforce the importance of cultural diversity.
• 🤝 Active efforts to understand each other's lives and cultures, such as social activities and discussions, foster a sense of community and belonging in a remote environment.
• 🌍 The panelists highlighted the need for intentionality in practicing cultural awareness, including joining team meetings outside of one's immediate team to learn from different perspectives.
• 📈 The discussion underscored the value of allyship and psychological safety in building a culturally aware and inclusive remote team.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker series hosted by the learning and development team at GitLab?

The speaker series is focused on all remote communication strategies, with specific sessions dedicated to video presentation skills, text-based communication, career development in an all-remote setting, and cross-cultural communication in an all-remote workspace.

How does Leah McNally's role as a Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Partner at GitLab involve cross-cultural communication?

Leah McNally's role involves understanding and addressing the cultural diversity within the team, ensuring that the company culture is inclusive and represents the global user base of GitLab's product. This includes being aware of inherent biases and undergoing training to manage them effectively.

What is the significance of having a diverse team at GitLab according to Bartek?

Bartek highlights that having a diverse team is beneficial as it helps in language localization, wording, and phrasing, which are crucial for serving GitLab's global user base. It also fosters a more inclusive and representative company culture.

How does Hila Chi approach the challenge of integrating individual cultures with the company culture at GitLab?

Hila Chi discusses the importance of understanding different communication and work styles across cultures. She emphasizes the need for coaching and adapting company practices to accommodate these differences, while also encouraging individuals to flourish within the combined culture of GitLab and their own backgrounds.

What is the role of GitLab's company values in fostering a remote work environment, as mentioned by Bartek?

Bartek explains that GitLab's values such as collaboration, iteration, results, and transparency play a significant role in the remote work environment. He mentions the importance of making these values more than just slogans by encouraging behaviors that exemplify them, such as the discretionary bonus system that rewards value-driven actions.

How does Leah McNally suggest practicing cultural awareness on an all-remote team?

Leah McNally suggests practicing allyship, being present in various team meetings, and listening to understand different perspectives. She also emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to foster cultural awareness and build common ground among team members.

What is the importance of personalization in cross-cultural collaboration, as discussed by Hila Chi?

Hila Chi stresses that personalization is key in cross-cultural collaboration because every person has a unique style, work background, and cultural identity. This means that management and communication strategies should be tailored to each individual to ensure effective collaboration.

How can managers adapt their communication styles to suit the diverse cultural backgrounds of their team members?

Managers should take responsibility for adapting to the communication styles and requirements of their team members. This can involve regular calibration with team members to ensure effective communication, providing feedback, and being sensitive to individual requirements.

What is the impact of culture on management and communication styles, and how can it be addressed?

Culture significantly influences management and communication styles, with differences in norms, personal achievements, and teamwork dynamics. Addressing this involves understanding these cultural nuances, being open to learning, and adapting management approaches to suit the diverse backgrounds of team members.

How can team members build rapport with someone from a culture they have little exposure to?

Building rapport with someone from an unfamiliar culture involves being open and honest about one's lack of understanding and expressing a desire to learn. Engaging in conversations, seeking out common interests, and being sensitive to cultural differences can help establish a connection.

What is the value of assuming positive intent in cross-cultural communication, as highlighted by the panelists?

Assuming positive intent is crucial in cross-cultural communication as it fosters an environment of understanding and respect. It helps to avoid misunderstandings that can arise from cultural differences and promotes a more inclusive and collaborative atmosphere.