Organizational Analysis - Essay Example

Being aware of the major differences in a group and maintaining patience can help minimize such problems. Having worked in a team during this season, I experienced some challenges, problems, and conflicts that required sound decision making and problem solving skills as per the context in which the occurred. Our research team was given the task to deliver case studies and exhibitions of the module in an excellent way. The challenge was realized in building a good relation and communication network between my team members.

This was due the differences in our cultural backgrounds. I am from Qatar, yet all my group members are of Chinese origin. Many people assume that challenges in cross-cultural teams arise from dissimilar styles of communication, yet this is just one of the many challenges that can create obstacles to the ultimate success of a team. These categories of challenges include direct versus indirect communication, differing attitudes towards authority and leadership, trouble with fluency and accents, and conflicting norms in making decisions (Minssen, 2006: 14).

In the context of my group, I realized that the challenge in communication was mainly based on the principle of direct versus in direct communication (Trenholm & Jensen, 2008: 13). Qatar being an Arabian country, I always thought that communication in Arabian culture is typically explicit and direct. The meaning of words is on the surface and the receiver of the message does not have to have much about the context of communication or the speaker to make an interpretation. This is not true in the Chinese culture, where I found that the meaning of words is embedded in the manner in which the message is presented.

The challenge was mostly due to the indirect communication that I noticed among them. For instance, my Chinese team members would often take a break and have some conversations in the middle of discussions. Little did I know that their main aim was to maintain harmony in