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Building Teams Among Hispanic Workers
by 

Trula Michaels LaCalle, Ph.D. 
© 1998

mail to:lacalle@Bellaii.com
(888) LACALLE   (888)522-2553

When all employees are working to accomplish the same goal, teamwork helps achieve that goal more efficiently. Individual workers must recognize how their progress is dependent upon the performance of others. They also must learn how their individual contribution to the company's goal effects the final outcome. Mutual responsibility, cooperation, and shared values lead to higher productivity--especially in cases where better speed and efficiency must not lower quality. 

So why is it that workers don't readily join together to achieve team success? Employees can be caught up in carrying out smaller details of their assignments and not think about the "big picture". The responsibility of management is to direct their attention to the company objectives and the inter-relatedness of their jobs. Furthermore, only the upper management team can provide the workers with the long term vision which enables employees to realize how the achievement of broader goals leads to company profits--and, ultimately, to the future security of employees. Team meetings take up time and cost money, but this investment is
necessary for communication of company needs and support of team development.

Employers of Hispanics notice that special needs exist with regard to building teamwork among Hispanic employees. Management needs to recognize the diversity among Hispanic employees and how this diversity can make mutual understanding and
cooperation more difficult. 

  • Differences Due to Acculturation 

  • Differences Based on Country or Region/State of Origin 

  • Motivation Based on Short-Term Goals 

  • Need Training and Alignment, Not Pep Talks 

Note:  The entire text of this article, including information regarding the above headings, is available free to the clients of Trula LaCalle.  Clients may call and request the article(s) of interest to them.

mailto:lacalle@Bellaii.com

phone: (888) LACALLE (888) 522-2553
fax: (707) 874-2136
Sacramento and Sonoma Counties, California  USA