Managing Cultural Dynamics

This book is essential reading for everyone working with culturally diverse groups.(English translation of the book: ’Normaal is anders!’)In today’s working environment, many different cultural identities meet and interact on a daily basis. Cultural complexity will not go away. Diversity challenges us to question perspectives and unconscious routines and, if embraced, can be used to generate great competitive advantages. The power inherent in such diversity can boost team productivity and challenge the status quo. At the same time, greater efforts are required to create team cohesion and achieve agreement on the best working procedures. Cultural dynamics call for inventive leadership, which regulates mechanisms of exclusion and resolves cultural misunderstandings. Managing Cultural Dynamics provides the reader with the language and the tools needed to release the potential creativity of culturally diverse teams. This book does not seek to offer ready-made solutions for unique situations, but rather presents a clear framework and practical interventions with which a safe, challenging and effective team culture can be created within any business. Bringing together the crucial ingredients for excellent teamwork: trust, participation and team loyalty.Jitske Kramer holds a Master’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology and has worked as a trainer and coach in the fields of leadership, teamwork and communication since 1998. In 2006, she founded the network organization HumanDimensions, based in the Netherlands.