CZECH REPUBLIC - COMMUNICATION | More Virtual Mobility

CZECH CORE VALUES

1. ADAPTABILITY

2. INVENTIVENESS

3. TENDENCY TO ACCEPT CONDITIONS

4. ABILITY TO BE IN CONTROL (RISE ABOVE PROBLEMS)

5. PREFERENCE FOR SECURITY AND COMFORT

6. COMPASSION

7. SECULARISM

8. PATRIOTISM

CZECHS AND CULTURAL DIMENSIONS

Individuals within Czech culture tend to behave in the following manner:

1. THEY ARE INDIVIDUALISTS RATHER THAN COLLECTIVISTS

2. THEY TEND TO ACCEPT LARGE POWER DISTANCE

3. THEY TEND TO AVOID UNCERTAINTY

4. THEY FAVOUR MASCULINE VALUES

5. THEY PREFER SHORT TERM ORIENTATION OVER LONG TERM GOALS

6. THEY TEND TO BE PARTICULARISTS RATHER THAN UNIVERSALISTS

7. THEY TEND TO BE MORE AFFECTIVE THAN NEUTRAL

8. THEY FAVOUR DIFFUSE RATHER THAN SPECIFIC BEHAVIOUR

9. THEY PREFER REWARDS BASED ON ACHIEVEMENT RATHER THAN ASCRIPTION

CZECH VALUES AND BEHAVIOUR IN WORK AND STUDY ENVIRONMENTS

1. ABILITY TO IMPROVIZE, INVENTIVENESS AND FLEXIBILITY

2. EMPHASIS ON FUNCTION RATHER THAN PERFECTION

3. ADAPTABILITY AND ABILITY TO LEARN QUICKLY

4. ABILITY TO BE IN CONTROL

5. COMPASSION TOWARDS OTHERS IN NEED

6. TENDENCY TO ACCEPT CONDITIONS

7. ORIENTATION ON EMOTIONAL TIES

8. INSUFFICIENT CONTROL OF OWN EMOTIONS AND INABILITY TO MANAGE EMOTIONS OF OTHERS

9. INADEQUATE SKILL OF ACTIVE LISTENING, EMPATHY AND APPROPRIATE ASSERTIVENESS

10. INADEQUATE SKILLS IN GIVING FEEDBACK

11. SWINGS BETWEEN CONFIDENCE AND INSECURITY

12. PARTICULARISTIC BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS CO-WORKERS

13. LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN UNIVERSAL RULES AND PROCEDURES

14. INTEGRATINON OF PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIVES INCLUDING LACK OF EMPHASIS ON PLAYING THE WORK ROLE

15. DISTANCING FROM THE EMPLOYER ORGANISATION INCLUDING LACK OF LOYALTY

16. UNWILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT GREATER DEGREE OF RESPONSIBILITY

17. RELIANCE ON CONTEXT RATHER THAN DIRECT COMMUNICATION

18. TIME MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS

GUIDE TO COMMUNICATION WITH CZECHS IN THE WORK AND STUDY ENVIRONMENTS

1. Factual argumentation may not be enough. Motivational factors, personalized reasoning and even some emotionality may help to make your point.

2. Place some emphasis on social relationships such as personal meetings, staff outings, but beware of falsehood.

3. Sincerity and openness in social interaction are highly valued, but do not underestimate Czech intuition. Place friendship and courtesy before correctness.

4. Reduce your expectations, be patient, give your Czech colleagues time and space. They will explain everything in their own way, including the context, which you may not appreciate.

5. Try not to separate personal and work agendas completely. Leave some connections visible.

6. It is expected that the managers will be aware of the current moods of their subordinates and that they will attempt to resolve their work related conflicts.

7. Show your personality, including some minor faults. Small deficiencies can be attractive.

8. It is extremely difficult to convince your Czech co-workers of your good intentions. The informal ways might be your only chance.

9. When hiring new employees, choose people with good social skills as well as professional competencies.

10. It is good to develop the social side of the company life (celebrations, lunches, dinners and rewards for good work).

11. Critique should concentrate on factual aspects of any problem. Individuals should not be blamed (unless it is unavoidable).

12. Create conflict only as a last resort, in very important circumstances.

13. Less significant conflicts should be resolved in a way which does not impact on the social relationships within the company.

14. Take seriously Czech suggestions to improve work systems and procedures. If necessary add your own comments.

15. When you have to deal with excuses, react with humour, rather than aggression. You will show that you understand your Czech counterpart.

16. Do not behave as a dictator, be prepared to point out your weakness. For example: "I am a bit of a choleric". Generally, you will find understanding from the Czech side.

17. Do not expect long discussion from the Czech side, first ask for the views of your Czech colleagues. If you start yourself, you will not get much information from them. Always emphasize priorities.

18. In your presentation, hold back a little. Do not try to boast. Modesty, even understatement, are highly valued in Czech culture.

19. Acknowledge mistakes, apology for one’s own mistakes is considered polite

20. Support your Czech colleagues in representative roles. They are no used to "stand in the front row".

21. If you don’t speak Czech, use third, accepted communication language (e.g. English) rather than your native tongue. This approach will balance the relative disadvantages of the communicating parties

22. Do not expect absolute punctuality from your Czech colleagues, their understanding of time is slightly more relaxed. Work with small reserve, say ten minutes. You should be the only person who knows.