Cross Cultural Conflict Case Study

It is very common that conflicts arise within teams and this likelihood increase in a diverse group. Different backgrounds, values, beliefs, race and age trigger differences in a diverse group, if these differences are not mediated on time or prevented the performance of the job and deadlines could be jeopardized. In this case, a diverse team is working on a project called the monitor project for a health care client. The team is composed of six team members who came from different backgrounds. With thirty days from the deadline, conflict has arisen between the last two members who joined the team, Darius a 32 year old man, now a U.S. citizen, who came to the United States from Iran ten years ago; and Harpreet a 30 year old woman who came to

Certainly, tensions between Hinduism and Islam are part of their history and it is important as a team leader to understand that there are some beliefs and core values that cannot be changed. Besides the history between Hindus and Muslims, this conflict also includes, ethnocentrism, prejudice and stereotyping. As the team leader, I would choose to find a synergistic solution in order to respect each member’s beliefs and core values and find a path to work together, promoting respect and inclusiveness that will motivate them to perform a good job and meet deadlines. According to Adler (2008), the synergy approach to problem solving involves three steps: cross-cultural situation description, cross-cultural interpretation, and cultural creativity. To find a solution, as a team leader I would use the steps mentioned

Cultural creativity: This step consists of creating a synergistic solution including people from different cultures. After analyzing the situation, my suggested solution is to encourage mutual respect within the whole team and specifically the two members of the conflict. To encourage mutual respect I would first dialogue with the two parts involved to discuss our cultures, differences, and similarities my intention with this exercise is to create cultural awareness, get to know each other and break stereotypes and prejudice. Second, communicate ground rules, it is imperative to let them know that disrespect and discrimination it is not tolerated at all, Third, explaining to them why it is important to create a common ground. Suggest some behaviors, for instance, be cordial, but respect each other’s personal