As the green industry matures, one of the most important opportunities for growth lies in how companies engage, integrate and motivate their diverse workforce. It’s not enough to hire talent — it’s about creating an environment where that talent thrives.
At a recent Jeffrey Scott Leader’s Edge peer group gathering, we had the opportunity to learn from an experienced bilingual leader, José Andrés Genel, chief operating officer (COO) for Landscape Renovations in Minnesota.
Genel laid out exactly how to bridge the cultural divide. One potential disconnect when working with a diverse team often isn’t language — it’s culture. So, how do you bridge that gap?
Here’s a simple, four-part framework that was shared to help leaders and managers build stronger, more productive teams across cultures:
1. Learn and appreciate cultural backgrounds
First step is to build trust. Start by understanding the cultural values, holidays and traditions that shape your team members’ lives. When managers take a genuine interest in their people on a personal level, it fosters loyalty and connection.
2. Listen with intention
Active listening is key to effective leadership of both local and immigrant labor. Managers should ask questions, pay attention to concerns and invite input — especially from team members who may not always feel empowered to speak up. Their perspectives on projects and processes can reveal valuable insights. Plus, it engages them and pulls them in.
3. Create a culture of psychological safety
Employees need to feel safe sharing ideas or concerns without fear of judgment or job security. Open communication encourages innovation, reduces turnover and improves team morale. Create the safe space.
4. Adjust for cultural motivators
Cultural values influence motivation. For example, some employees may value personal recognition and individual achievement more than collective success, which is often emphasized in traditional American work culture. Adapting your leadership style to reflect these differences will make a significant impact.
These strategies aren’t just theoretical — they’re practical and proven to work.
To dive deeper into topics like this, join us at the upcoming Summer Growth Summit, in Cleveland, Ohio, from Aug. 19-21. There, we’ll be featuring Genel as he speaks on two topics:
- The Three Most Common Mistakes Companies Make with Hispanic Teams — And How to Fix Them
- Maximizing Workflow Efficiency and Client Satisfaction in Design-Build Operations
Whether you’re looking to improve team performance, reduce turnover or simply become a more effective leader, these are conversations you don’t want to miss.
Super early bird registration ends next week for our Summer Growth Summit (at Schill Grounds Management). Save $400 per ticket when you sign up before April 24. Secure your spot here.
