Opening (5 mins):
- Icebreaker question: What experiences have you had working in diverse teams? What cultures were represented?
- Question: What challenges or benefits did you encounter with cultural differences on those teams?
YWAM Value #10: We function in teams in all aspects of ministry and leadership.
“Two are better than one…If one falls down, the other can help…” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Building Cohesive Teams (20 mins):
- Discuss the importance of building united, collaborative “tribes” across cultures to fulfill YWAM’s global mission
- Synergy from combining diverse backgrounds, perspectives and strengths
- Modeling Biblical unity in diversity for the world to see
- Question: How can we intentionally form inclusive, cohesive multicultural teams?
- Explore strategies like cultural sensitivity training, icebreakers, team charters, defining team values/norms, etc.
- Importance of patience, vulnerability and a learner’s mindset
- Explore critical team qualities like mutual trust, sense of belonging, embracing diverse viewpoints
- Allow team members to share how these qualities are viewed in their cultures
- Discuss ways the team can cultivate these qualities together
YWAM Value #13: We are dedicated to being relationship-oriented.
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
Delegating Across Cultures (20 mins):
- Importance of delegating roles/responsibilities through an unbiased, cross-cultural lens
- Recognizing how different cultures may perceive authority, hierarchies, accountability, etc.
- Being self-aware of potential privileges or blindspots in our own cultural lens
- Question: What varying cultural perspectives on leadership roles might we need to consider?
- Allow team members to share views from their cultures
- Strategies for delegating impartially based solely on individual gifts, strengths, experience and calling – not cultural background
- Discussing delegation in a group setting to surface any biases
- Creating robust processes for evaluating delegation decisions
YWAM Value #11: We exhibit servant leadership, honoring gifts in all.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” 1 Corinthians 12:4
Break (5 mins)
Fostering Open Communication (20 mins):
- Challenges of communication across cultures and strategies to overcome them
- Differing communication styles (direct/indirect, verbosity, use of silence, etc.)
- Varying cultural norms around disagreement, giving feedback, saving face, etc.
- Allow examples to be shared of how communication works in different cultures
- Question: How can we create safe spaces for all voices and perspectives to be heard on our teams?
- Establishing team norms like “one person speaks at a time,” “suspend judgment,” etc.
- Discuss best practices for cross-cultural communication like:
- Active listening – restating to confirm understanding
- Creating feedback loops and checking for comprehension
- Discussing problems/disagreements with curiosity, not judgment
- Learning phrases in each other’s languages to promote understanding
YWAM Value #18: We communicate with integrity – truthfully and relevantly.
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become…the whole Body.” Ephesians 4:15
Closing (10 mins):
- Question: Why is building cohesive, inclusive multicultural teams so vital to YWAM’s effectiveness?
- Deeper collaboration, richer ideas, stronger outreach to all peoples
- Modeling reconciliation between cultures for the world
- Question: What’s one practical step you can take to be an effective cross-cultural teammate?
- Recap key principles: forming united teams, impartial delegation, open communication
YWAM Value #4: We practice intercessory prayer to overcome divisions.
“I pray…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” John 17:20-21