Managing People In Brazil

By Author: Erik Sulivan
Total Articles: 43
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This is essential if you want to get along with subordinates and ensure the success of your business. Here are some things to keep in mind when managing people and business in Brazil.
Personality and Abilities
The personal style and abilities of a manager go hand in hand. The personality of the boss is directly proportionate to the respect accorded to him by his subordinates. It is as important as his technical abilities, which he may have honed through management training. Establishing great personal relationships is of utmost importance to the Brazilian workplace and the manager and subordinates need to work at fostering trust and respect between each other.
Much is expected of the manager. He has the freedom to make big decisions without anyone questioning him. Brazilian workers have strict adherence to hierarchy and regard the boss with almost patriarchal deference. In return, it's the boss' priority to look after the welfare of his employees and provide all the guidance they need, such as encouraging them to take project management courses, in order ...
... to meet their goals.
If you really need to raise a point with the boss regarding a decision, it's best done privately, in a closed door meeting. Doing so in front of other employees shows disrespect to the patriarch.
Giving Instructions
When dealing with subordinates, it's important to relay instructions as clearly as possible, especially if there's a language barrier involved. Remember that subordinates will do exactly what their boss tells them to do without question so if they miss something, you have to take a step back and go over the instructions you gave and check for errors.

Comparisons
In order to get a better grasp at Brazilian management culture, it's best to compare management courses with other cultures. You will find that Brazilian managers have much similarity with Italian and French managers and differ greatly with German and American counterparts.
American workers are known to be goal-driven individuals who always look for ways to exceed their performance. The Germans require a lot from their subordinates and expect them to resolve their problems with minimal or no interference from managers. These two tend to question authority when needed, which is something that is in contrast to Brazilians' deference to their managers and obeying them without question.
The Japanese are highly similar to the Brazilians, in such a way that they are very particular about hierarchy. The leader demands loyalty and obedience from their people, which should be conferred without questions and protests.
Managing people in Brazil can be quite a challenge if you have not taken project management courses or any other types of management courses Hemsley Fraser that provide familiarization about the management styles used by business managers in the country. Taking project management training can help you deal with problems in the workplace the Brazilian way.