Key Terms

adaptation

Technique of working with or around differences

boundaries

Lines that make the limits of an area; team boundaries separate the team from its external stakeholders

cognitive complexity

The ability to view situations from more than one cultural framework

collaboration

The action of working with someone to produce or create something

cultural intelligence

A skill that enables individuals to function effectively in cross-cultural environments

emotional intelligence

The capability of individuals to recognize their own emotions and others’ emotions

exit

Technique of last resort—removal of a team member

Forming

The first stage of team development—the positive and polite stage

ground rules

Basic rules or principles of conduct that govern a situation or endeavor

head, body, and heart

Techniques for becoming more adept in cross-cultural skills—learning about cultures (head), physical manifestations of culture (body), and emotional commitment to new culture (heart)

knowledge economy

The information society, using knowledge to generate tangible and intangible values

managerial intervention

Technique of making decisions by management and without team involvement

mining

To delve in to extract something of value; a technique for generating discussion instead of burying it

Norming

The third stage of team development—when team resolves its differences and begins making progress

paradox

A self-contradictory statement or situation

Performing

The fourth stage of team development—when hard work leads to the achievement of the team’s goal

real-time permission

A technique for recognizing when conflict is uncomfortable, and giving permission to continue

Storming

The second stage of team development—when people are pushing against the boundaries

structural intervention

Technique of reorganizing to reduce friction on a team

working group

Group of experts working together to achieve specific goals; performance is made up of the individual results of all members