Cross Cultural Management Guide for Puerto Rico­­­­

The insights offered below are for managers who want to learn more about the management style and business culture of Puerto Rico.

Our guide provides some useful information for managers who are relocating to the country for employment as well as those who may have Rican employees in their global or multicultural teams.

Topics include:

• Hierarchy
• Leadership style
• Time and scheduling 
• Communication style and; 
• Negotiation style 

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Being a Manager in Puerto Rico

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Foreign management is more likely to succeed if they understand that although outwardly warm and hospitable, Puerto Ricans are also conservative and traditional.

• They behave formally and expect proper etiquette at all times.
• It is important to mind your manners and not appear overly friendly before you have developed a personal relationship.
• Puerto Rico is very much a Latin culture tempered by its close association with the USA.
• Expect to find an intriguing blend of Latin charm intertwined with North American drive.
• Puerto Ricans prefer to do business with "familia" (extended family or friends who are treated as family).
• Therefore, they have the desire to turn business colleagues into "familia".
• This requires getting to know each other as individuals.
• Puerto Ricans enjoy leisurely lunches and dinners and tend to dine late.

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The Role of a Manager

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Foreigners will be more effective when managing in Puerto Rico, if they keep in mind that each person has a very distinct role within the organization.

• People believe that their supervisors have been chosen because they have more experience than those they manage.
• Therefore, unnecessary, and even inappropriate for them to consult with lower-ranking individuals when decision-making.
• In Puerto Rico, as in other hierarchical societies, managers may take a somewhat paternalistic attitude toward their employees.
• They may demonstrate a concern for employees that goes beyond the workplace and strictly professional concerns.

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Approach to Change

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Puerto Rico’s cultural adaptability and readiness for change is apparent although changes are still made slowly, requiring a considerable amount of thought, planning and evaluation.

• It would be perceived as imprudent to introduce rapid change, and yet it would be recognized as poor management to resist change unnecessarily.
• Cultural sensitivity is important with Puerto Rico’s attitude toward risk dramatically impacted by the negative ramifications of failure on both the individual and the group.

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Approach to Time and Priorities

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Deadlines and timescales are fluid in Puerto Rico. Patience will play an essential part in successful management.

• While timescales and deadlines need to be set well in advance and reiterated carefully, it should be understood that these will be viewed as flexible.
• Global virtual working means that some managers may have a greater appreciation of the need to enforce timescales and as such, agreed deadlines are more likely to be met.

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Decision Making

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Puerto Rican business is hierarchical and managers tend to be autocratic. They tell subordinates what they want to be done and often how to do it. They do not expect their subordinates to question them.

• At the same time, they are also paternalistic.
• They get to know the personal lives of their subordinates and will assist them if they have personal problems.
• The goal of the manager is to make his subordinates feel that their place of work is a substitute family.
• Maintaining personal integrity is an integral part of the business culture.
• Therefore, if a manager must chastise a subordinate, it will be done in private to allow the subordinate to retain their self-respect.

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Boss or Team Player?

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If you are working with people from Puerto Rico a cultural understanding of the importance that hierarchy plays is needed.

• Traditionally, the supervisor is seen to hold that position because of superior knowledge and skills.
• It would traditionally have been unthinkable for someone of a higher position to collaborate with someone from a lower status.
• This is changing somewhat in younger generations, particularly those employed by multinational corporations.

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Communication and Negotiation Styles

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Expect small talk before getting down to business since Puerto Ricans want to get to know people before doing business with them. Wait for your Puerto Rican colleagues to raise the business subject.

• Patience is a necessary personal attribute.
• If you try to rush the process, you will be thought both rude and aggressive.
• Decisions are often based upon the personal preference of the decision maker, which is why spending time to develop trust and personal relationships is crucial.
• In Puerto Rican business culture, negotiations are often approached in a polite and respectful manner, with an emphasis on building relationships and establishing trust.
• It is common for negotiators to take their time and engage in small talk before getting down to business.
• They may also use indirect language or gestures to convey their message and avoid causing offense.
• While Puerto Ricans may be flexible in negotiations, they generally value stability and consistency and may be reluctant to make sudden changes or take unnecessary risks.

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