Abstract
Purpose. The first purpose of this study was to examine task and relational communication behaviors demonstrated by emergent leaders in multicultural work groups. The second purpose was to determine differences in the importance of specific task and relational behaviors between work group members of collectivist and individualistic orientations. Methodology. The study sample consisted of sixty-eight participants in 6 four-week teacher training workshops. The participants were newly hired faculty from twenty-two countries who will teach foreign languages for the U.S. government. A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data. Participants were asked to select a person who emerged as a group leader. A questionnaire that contained qualitative and quantitative questions was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, qualitative methods, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Findings. Data analysis confirmed that emergent leaders in multicultural work groups demonstrated a high degree of both task and relational leadership behaviors. Task-oriented communication related to subject matter expertise was demonstrated more frequently than task-oriented procedural communication. Emergent leaders frequently facilitated task closure, most often by acting as spokesperson. They often demonstrated supporting behaviors by showing respect and being good listeners. Building relationships through socializing was the least demonstrated and least important behavior. There were few significant differences in the importance collectivists and individualists assigned to task and relational leadership behaviors. However, collectivists preferred more orientation to the task than did individualists. Conclusions. Emergent leaders of multicultural work groups provided content, process, and relational communication. The most frequently demonstrated leadership behavior was task oriented, that of providing subject-matter expertise. Both collectivists and individualists assigned the highest rating of importance to the relationship-oriented leadership behaviors associated with consulting. Group leaders demonstrated inclusion by utilizing the opinions and ideas of group members in the group decision-making process. Implications for action. Multicultural organizations can improve the effectiveness of their work groups by: (1) focusing on task and relational communication processes during leadership training, and (2) helping each work group identify, practice, and demonstrate important task and relational behaviors.