Session Recap: Leading Cross-Cultural Design Teams

Julia helped participants with their questions drawing on her experience as a coach and at the BBC, she illustrated the delicate balance between innovation and maintaining trust, showing how cultural spectrums impact design principles and leadership approaches. Here are the most important learnings.

Innovation vs. Stability in Organizational Culture

Julia discussed the spectrum of innovation and risk-taking versus stability and safety. Using the BBC as an example, she explained how integrity and audience trust influenced a cautious but creative approach to innovation. She urged leaders to reflect on where their organization falls on this spectrum and how it affects team dynamics and design principles.

Dimensions of Organizational Culture by Robbins, S. and Coulter, M. 

1. Team Orientation

2. People Orientation

3. Outcome Orientation

4. Innovation and Risk Taking

5. Stability

6. Cooperativeness

7. Attention to Detail

Managing Diverse Personalities in Groups

We also delved into how managing diverse personalities in group settings is a key topic, especially balancing introversion and extroversion. Julia suggested giving participants time for silent reflection, cascading sharing from one-on-one to group discussions, and ensuring everyone has a role. These strategies help promote balanced participation and a positive team dynamic.

One challenge discussed was supporting decentralized design teams across different time zones. Julia emphasized the need to establish a distinct design culture through regular virtual meetings, work-sharing practices, and occasional in-person gatherings. Isabel shared her strategy of aligning design principles and values across countries, while Julia recommended exploring Erin Meyer’s The Culture Map for understanding cross-cultural team dynamics.

Empathy and Communication Across Organizational Boundaries

Julia stressed the importance of empathy and clear communication when collaborating across organizational boundaries. She suggested leaders focus on understanding what success means for different stakeholders and tailor communication to resonate with diverse teams, thus fostering better collaboration and influence.

Resources

• Julia shared resources on the seven spectrums of organizational culture for further reflection.

• She also recommended to read The Culture Map by Erin Meyer

• Julia has a specific coaching offer for first-time design leaders. Interested? connect with her on LinkedIn to learn more.

• Julia’s also published a new booklet, How to Set a Goal, to support leadership development which you can get here.

And remember Julia, together with other 10 expert leaders and coaches will be part of our Leadership Ateliers Barcelona event. Book within the next 2 weeks with the code FEBRUARY and get €100 discount