Tips for Managing a Team of Indian Programmers
If you own a business and want to hire Indian programmers there must be certain questions going on in your mind. For instance, you must be critically thinking about how to hire the best Indian programmer for your project. How to manage a team of Indian developers successfully and so on.
We’re not going to lie. Management of an Indian programming team can present a number of challenges. But if done right, it can be immensely rewarding. India’s rich cultural heritage, diverse workforce, and strong technical capabilities. This makes it a popular outsourcing destination for software development projects. However, to hire and manage a team of Indian programmers, you need to know a lot more. You need to understand their cultural nuances, communication styles, work ethics, and so on.
The way Indians interact and work with each other is highly influenced by their unique culture. Indians respect seniority and age in hierarchical relationships. And this can clearly be seen in the workplace which is also known as the top-down management style.
Team members show respect for their superiors and refrain from openly challenging their judgment. Indians also prefer indirect communication, particularly when giving bad feedback or criticism. So, to build and manage a team of Indian programmers, you need to understand and respect their culture. As well as providing a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
How to Effectively Manage a Team of Indian Software Developers?
Hiring and building a team of software developers isn’t as difficult as it is team management. This especially becomes true when you hire developers from countries like India. India is known for its unique and diverse culture, the way they respect their elders, their work ethics, etc.
And looking at the young Indian demography, cost-effectiveness, and many other such reasons, global tech companies are very much attracted to hiring Indian developers. But with hiring comes the responsibility to effectively manage the team. This is where, many companies fail and face higher attrition rates, low productivity, decreased quality of work, and so on.
Here are some points to help you understand what matters and what steps to take to manage an Indian development team effectively:
Take time to understand Indian culture:
Indians have always been taught to show respect and never question their elders/seniors. This automatically gets reflected in their work and how they respond to situations. They have high regard for authority. Indians are believed to be respectful and humble towards their superiors than their counterparts in other countries. This is advantageous in organizations that follow a hierarchy. But it can also prevent constructive criticism from being given. That’s why, it is always suggested to the managers to promote open communication and feedback.
Another cultural value that is important in India is the concept of “saving face.” In Indian culture, it’s important to avoid public embarrassment or shame. This can lead to indirect communication and a reluctance to speak up about problems or concerns. As a manager, it’s important to create a culture where team members feel comfortable raising issues and discussing problems openly.
Focus on how Indians communicate:
Effective communication is key to managing any team, but it’s particularly important when working with a team from another culture. Indian communication styles can be indirect and context dependent. Indian team members may use less direct language than employees from other countries, and they may use more gestures and nonverbal cues to convey meaning.
To be an effective communicator with your team of Indian developers, it’s important to be patient and listen carefully. You may need to ask for clarification or provide additional context to ensure that everyone is on the same page. It’s also important to be aware of your own communication style and how it may be perceived by your team members.
Build trust and relationships when managing a team of Indian programmers:
How do you manage a large team of Indian developers? By building trust and relationships. This idea is very important in any situation, but it becomes even more crucial when leading a team from a different culture. Indians value personal relationships a lot. Someone who invests the time to get to know them personally has a higher chance of earning their trust.
As a part of your efforts in managing a team of Indian developers, take time to get to know them as individuals. Ask about their interests, families, and hobbies. Take an interest in their lives outside of work. But remember not to cross or get too personal. This can help to build rapport and establish a more positive and productive work environment.
Tips for Managing a Team of Indian Programmers
Now that we’ve covered some background information, let’s dive into some specific tips for managing a team of Indian programmers.
Establish clear communication:
As mentioned earlier, effective communication is key when managing a team of Indian programmers. To ensure that everyone is on the same page, it’s important to establish clear communication channels and expectations from the outset. This can include setting up regular team meetings, establishing protocols for email and chat communication, and providing regular feedback on performance.
Provide clear instructions:
When you hire Indian programmers and put in efforts to manage them, remember, that they don’t believe in questioning their seniors. So, Indian developers might be reluctant to seek clarification or admit that they don’t understand something. Hence, make sure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities and for this, don’t ignore the importance of giving clear instructions.
Provide opportunities for professional growth:
Indian programmers are often highly motivated and dedicated to their work. To keep them engaged and motivated, it’s important to offer opportunities for professional development and growth. This can include training sessions, attending industry conferences, and providing access to online courses and resources.
Encourage collaboration and teamwork:
Teamwork and cooperation are highly regarded in Indian culture. Encourage open communication and teamwork among team members to promote a collaborative work environment. And when working with a group of programmers, this becomes even more crucial. The nature of their work necessitates constant communication with clients and other team members.
So try creating cross-functional teams, defining specific team goals and objectives, and giving team members chances to collaborate on projects.
Celebrate successes and acknowledge accomplishments:
Whether you’re working woth Indian developers or developers from any other country, recognitions play a very important role. In the process of managing a team of Indian programmers, remember to recognize individual and team achievements and celebrate successes. This way, you can keep your team morivated and engaged. This can include providing regular feedback on performance, offering bonuses or incentives for meeting or exceeding goals, and acknowledging milestones and achievements.
Be Sensitive to Cultural Differences:
India is a diverse nation with a wide range of cultural traditions and practises, as was already mentioned. It’s crucial to be culturally aware and to foster an inclusive and respectful work environment if you want to be a successful manager. This may entail making allowances for religious observances, providing cultural sensitivity training, and fostering a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all team members.
Conclusion:
Factors such as cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and so on are critical in managing a team of Indian programmers. And this can be done in various ways like by establishing clear communication channels, providing clear instructions and expectations, offering opportunities for professional development and so on. With these tips and strategies in mind, you can effectively manage your team of Indian programmers and achieve success in your business endeavors.
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