Leading with Cultural Sensitivity: Insights from Elizabeth Hoemeke on Managing Diverse Teams

Leading a culturally diverse team requires more than just management skills—it’s an art form that hinges on cultural sensitivity and inclusivity. In this episode, we dive into the intricacies of leading such a team in the global business arena with our guest, Elizabeth Hoemeke, CIO of One Inc. 

Elizabeth shares her valuable insights and experiences in navigating cultural diversity within her team, from fostering effective communication to understanding the unique backgrounds of each team member. Through our conversation, we offer a look at how Elizabeth manages her unique team and emphasize the importance of adaptability, empathy and clear expectations in leadership. Enjoy!

Leading with Cultural Sensitivity

In a global business landscape, leaders like Elizabeth Hoemeke exemplify the adaptability and empathy necessary for cultural sensitivity in leadership. Her insights remind us that the dance of leading a culturally diverse team is ongoing, requiring an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, trust-building, and personal growth.

With her rich experience in managing global teams, we discuss the importance of breaking down cultural barriers and the inherent biases that often go unnoticed. We also consider how diversity, often seen as a challenge, can be transformed into a team’s greatest strength. Below are a few highlights from our conversation.

‘Aha’ Moments

Building trust within a team is a process that unfolds over time, with one-on-one connections serving as the cornerstone of a strong foundation. Elizabeth employs direct communication to spark ‘aha’ moments within her team, leading to transformative change in their dynamics.

‘Drop the Rope’

Another key point Elizabeth introduce is the ‘drop the rope’ technique, which illustrates the importance of patience in leadership. The technique involves stepping back and allowing the team time to digest and adapt to new ideas—a practice that requires balancing the urgency of achieving goals with the development of team members.

Consistency

Leading a team with cultural sensitivity requires a continuous effort. It’s not just about the initial engagement—it’s about consistent communication and presence. Leaders need to show up, physically and metaphorically, to fully understand team dynamics.

Evolving Leadership Style

As teams grow and diversify, leadership styles must evolve. As our conversation winds down, we reflect on how leadership itself grows and adapts in the face of increasing team diversity. Elizabeth offers a candid look at the challenges that surface when scaling from a small, intimate team to leading larger, more varied groups, and also opens up about the internal conflict she faced while balancing traditional gender roles and expectations.

Leading Your Team with Cultural Sensitivity

Elizabeth’s experiences serve as a reminder that while technical challenges can be overcome with relative ease, the true test of leadership lies in the human element—understanding, motivating, and guiding a diverse group of individuals towards a common goal.

Consider how cultural diversity plays a role in your own leadership style. How do you approach the challenges and opportunities of leading a diverse team? How can you cultivate an inclusive environment that leverages the strengths of diversity to enhance team performance and innovation? 

We would love to from you – connect with me at nathan@leadershipvisionconsulting.com.