4SP2021 Global Management (MGMT-528-01B)

Good Morning, My individualism score was 32, collectivism 28. I believe that this score is pretty accurate of where I would place myself on the scale. I am a very private person who understands that to get anywhere in business it takes a team to get there. However, I understand the merit my work and knowledge brings to not only my team but to the operation I run. My family is pretty individualistic so I would say that having a collectivism score that is close to my individualistic score is not reflective to my family but to the environment I have grown up in through work. The way I manage different upbringings and cultural upbringings is to make sure that everyone is open to the prospect of working towards a common goal and working as a team. I am a big sports fan, while quotes are “cliché”, they work because they get people to work towards common goals. Whether those are store-specific, in my case, or bigger company/corporate goals I set baseline expectations for my team regardless of any of this but also set expectations that we all have to be able to work together, even though our styles may be different. “Team cohesion happens when a team remains united while working to achieve a common goal. Being a cohesive team means that not only are group goals met but everyone feels like they have contributed to the overall success of the group” (TenBoer, K., n.d.). ================================ My self-assessment score for individualism is 26, and my score for collectivism is 30. I do believe these scores to be accurate. Growing up in a lower-middle-class family, I learned if I wanted something, I had to work for it. This trait is consistent with Hofstede’s individualism theory (10 minutes with, 2014). I got my first job when I was 12, detasseling corn, and from there, I started to develop self-reliant characteristics. For example, when the time came, I paid for driving school and bought a car on my own (1988 Dodge Aries). Having individual ownership of resources, even at a young age, aligns with Hofstede’s individualism theory (Hofstede et al., 2010). However, in my adult life, I have also started to embraced collectivist traits. My workplace has had a substantial impact on this shift. A core value within my workplace is Team. We are encouraged to use a we mentality instead of an I mentality, and harmony within the team is essential. These traits are consistent with Hofstede’s collectivism theory (Hofstede et al., 2010). I can rely on the members within the team, and they have built a sense of safety and security that I did not feel growing up in a highly individualist setting. In a multicultural workplace environment, I would promote teamwork, as this has contributed to my own development. Within the workplace, I would advocate for rewarding collaboration. The reward system would require participation from everyone and motivate the team to reach their objectives. Overall, a cohesive team will be able to accomplish more than individuals working independently. References