Re:Ask HN: How do you deal with an offshore team that is vas...
by codingdave on Saturday August 31, 2019 @06:27PM
(#20849190)
Sounds like you need to have a call to establish some team norms in terms of communications styles, coding standards, and expectations in general.
The business culture in India includes an acceptance of taking direction from people who have authority over the work. But you need to be explicit. Give them clear directions. Tell them what you want. Tell them why you want it. Do not try the indirect methods you described - that isn't the style they are used to. Be direct, and if they miss the mark, you can be candid in your feedback, politely, and they will respond.
At the same time, get to know them. Ask them their backgrounds, why they do the things they do. Learn their perspective. Let them learn that you value them as people, not just offshore coders. And the more you get to know them, and build trust across the team, the easier this will get. You will learn who they are, they will learn who you are, and things can get better.
The business culture in India includes an acceptance of taking direction from people who have authority over the work. But you need to be explicit. Give them clear directions. Tell them what you want. Tell them why you want it. Do not try the indirect methods you described - that isn't the style they are used to. Be direct, and if they miss the mark, you can be candid in your feedback, politely, and they will respond.
At the same time, get to know them. Ask them their backgrounds, why they do the things they do. Learn their perspective. Let them learn that you value them as people, not just offshore coders. And the more you get to know them, and build trust across the team, the easier this will get. You will learn who they are, they will learn who you are, and things can get better.