Very nice question.
I have many team members who are from different cultures and time zones but i am managing them all. I will share the simple way, which i am following to do that and its really very effective.
1. Observe/Navigate time zones: Sometimes it feels impossible to find a meeting time for everyone in a team that’s spread all over the globe. Early on, ask team members to state their local time so everyone understands the time variances early on.
2. make a list of national and religious holidays: Countries and people honor holidays differently. As a team leader you want to make sure you know which holidays are particularly important to individual team members—as well as the observances that are important to specific regions. Be sensitive to unexpected details such as, how a fasting holiday might affect a team member, and which countries might not observe popular Western holidays, like the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
3. Be savvy about the cultural differences among team members: These are more subtle and trickier to manage. Just because your team member in China speaks flawless American English, don’t assume that her cultural values are the same as yours. This bridge might be easier to cross in experienced global companies because, over the years, the corporate culture has become strong enough to put everyone on the same cultural professional page.
As a manager, you can research your team’s cultural backgrounds in fun ways—reading books and website articles, watching movies, talking to people who are willing to share their experiences. Or, if you work with someone in Turkey who loves food, go to a Turkish restaurant in your neighborhood and then talk to him about it. Being sensitive and aware is a good first step.
4. Need to Share a common software platform with all team members: For example, use collaborative team management software that everyone on the team can access on their own time frame, and then track progress and follow comments of team members. Because your team is scattered geographically, cloud-based software makes sense.
Standardize on other basic communication tools as well, like using the same instant message software or chat tool. If shared white-boarding is important, pick a common collaboration app. A shared calendaring application (which can be part of your team management tool or email software) makes scheduling meetings easier.
5. Check in with team members, and have them check in with each other: Unless your team members are the silent types, voice-to-voice communication conveys a lot that electronic cannot. If you’re at U.S. and a team member works alone in a home in Belgium, encourage the remote team member to check in weekly. Or have remote team member check in with each other. If you or other team members are traveling.
6. Don’t generalize, stereotype or make assumptions—especially about people you've never met and cultures you don’t deeply understand: Be inclusive and seek advice from a friend or colleague who’s familiar with local customs when culture-specific issues emerge. You might discover you have some cultural biases; don’t let them get in the way. And when you’re stumped, ask open-ended questions. You might discover some interesting and helpful insights along the way.
7. Don’t get hung up on work style or approach—unless it affects results: Learn early in the life of your project to make a note of each team member’s communication and work style. Note that some of these differences are influenced by cultural norms.
And then remember: Your team is about outcomes, not winning style points.
Finally, your team exists to achieve common objectives, so focus on how each member’s role contributes to your team's objectives. Emphasize shared goals and don’t get too hung up on differences.
Hope my suggestions will be helpful for you.
Best regards and Best of luck...
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