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Hello Class, we are jumping right into this week! I look forward to learning with you over the next eight weeks!

For this scenario, having a team that has never worked together before, it will be helpful to provide my team training on the Cross-Cultural Communication Competence Model developed by Mateev and Nelson to ensure that we have the framework for understanding and the ability to improve communication effectiveness in diverse cultural contexts.

The model plan acts like a guidebook for navigating cultural differences and improving how we communicate. There are four main areas to focus on: interpersonal skills, team effectiveness, cultural uncertainty, and cultural empathy (Scott, 2016, p.71). It's all about knowing how to talk and listen, working well together despite our differences, being open to new experiences, and understanding where others are coming from.

The Cross-Cultural Communication Competence Model is set up great, but there is almost always room for improvement. One downside is that it might oversimplify things. For example, assuming everyone from the same culture acts the same, which isn't always true. To make this less of a weakness, we could add more layers to the model, like recognizing that people within a culture can be diverse too. Another example, it doesn't stress enough the importance of always learning and growing in your cultural skills. We're all constantly changing and learning, so the model should reflect that by encouraging ongoing self-reflection and learning. Making these small changes could make the model even better at helping us understand and work with people from different backgrounds.

One of the biggest challenges in getting my team to work together and open a successful children's hospital in South Sudan would likely be overcoming cultural differences and fostering effective communication and collaboration among team members. "Diversity in terms of different nationalities has an effect on communicating effectively" (Scott, 2016, p.69). Building trust and understanding among our diverse team is key. To achieve this, we will use team-building activities, like icebreakers and problem-solving games. Plus, we'll make sure everyone's voice is heard, no matter their background. By weaving elements of the Cross-Cultural Communication Competence Model into our training, we'll equip our team with the skills and empathy needed to thrive in a multicultural setting (Scott, 2015, p.15).

Furthermore, the political environment of each country can shape how we manage our team. Politics are an important part of every organization and can have a heavy influence on what receives funding (Gray, 2020). In places with strong hierarchies, like some Asian countries, a more top-down approach might be expected. In more democratic countries, like many in the West, collaboration is favored. We'll also stay flexible, especially in politically unstable environments. Adapting our management style to fit the cultural and political vibe of each country we work in will keep our team sailing smoothly.