How to ensure your transatlantic talent team succeeds

With an ever-increasing globalised economic landscape, an increased number of organisations are operating on a global scale. A key trend we have seen emerge over the past two years is transatlantic people teams, with a Chief Talent Officer based in the U.S. with regional Heads of People or regional Talent Directors reporting into them from London and other European cities.

Leading a transatlantic talent team can be hugely complex, with diverse cultural backgrounds, time zones, and regulatory environments. It’s crucial to implement strategies that foster collaboration and efficiency.

So, as a talent leader how can you ensure that your transatlantic talent team succeeds?

1. Show cultural awareness and sensitivity

There are a few things you can do to ensure your transatlantic people team flourishes. Firstly, provide cultural competence training to help team members understand and appreciate each other’s backgrounds. Secondly, recognise and celebrate cultural holidays and events from both sides of the Atlantic.

2. Effective communication

If you are managing team members in various locations, it is essential to stay in touch. A key way you can do this is to schedule regular meetings to ensure everyone stays aligned and engaged, considering time zone differences. You can also take advantage of multiple communication tools (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, email) to help smooth interactions and provide clarity. However, be mindful of scheduling meetings at times that are reasonable for all participants.

3. Unified goals and objectives

Leading a multilocation team means that you must establish clear, shared objectives that resonate across teams. A unified approach to performance metrics that account for regional differences while aligning with overall business goals helps foster a sense of purpose.

4. Flexible work practices

Additionally, you will need to develop policies that cater to varying work preferences and legal requirements in different countries.

5. Empower local leadership

You shouldencourage local talent leaders to make decisions that cater to their specific markets while aligning with global strategies. Establish channels for local teams to provide feedback on global initiatives, ensuring they are relevant and effective.

6. Technology integration

You should consider using HR software that integrates across multiple regions. By investing in tools that enhance remote teamwork, such as project management software, you enable easy access to data and facilitate collaboration

7. Focus on employee well-being

Leading a transatlantic team means that you may not be as in touch with your colleagues as often you would be if you were in the same location. Provide mental health resources and support systems that consider the unique pressures of working in a transatlantic team. Moreover, encourage practices that promote a healthy work-life balance, recognising the potential for burnout in a global context.

8. Continuous learning and development

Offer training programs that allow team members to learn from each other’s expertise and cultural practices. Additionally, you could implement mentorship initiatives that pair members across the Atlantic to foster knowledge sharing and support.

9. Adaptability to legal requirements

If you are leading a talent team that operates in multiple jurisdictions, you will need to regularly update your knowledge on employment laws in each region to ensure compliance and avoid pitfalls. To help with this consult with local HR professionals or legal experts to navigate complex regulatory environments.

10. Celebrate successes

Finally, regularly acknowledge and celebrate both team and individual successes. Create space for sharing success stories across the team, reinforcing a sense of community and shared purpose.

How Frazer Jones can help you build your transatlantic HR team

Building a successful transatlantic people team requires intentional strategies that embrace cultural diversity, facilitate communication, and adapt to regional differences. By focusing on collaboration, continuous learning, and employee well-being, organisations can create a thriving environment that drives performance and engagement across the Atlantic.

At Frazer Jones we have long established recruitment teams which have extensive expertise building international talent teams. If you are looking to hire a Chief Talent Officer, Head of People or HR Director for your talent team, please do not hesitate to submit a brief and a member of our team will be in touch.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a new talent opportunity in a multinational business, check out our latest jobs.