When communicating with individuals from other cultures the most important thing to develop rapport is?

As you set out to improve your English, don’t forget that understanding others and being understood is not all about the right words. Effective cross cultural communication is also an emotional skill.

Misunderstandings are common between native speakers of the same language, Imagine what more it will cause to people with different language or cultural group. With continuous globalization, these kinds of problems may arise. That is why cross-cultural knowledge is now becoming a must. So, here we will discuss 4 important keys to effective cross cultural communication:

RESPECT

Respect is the first key to effective communication. Etiquette and good manners should never be forgotten. Do not be selective on who you give your regards to. This means that you should be respectful to everyone not just to people who you perceive as having a higher status than you. Keep in mind that we have different cultural values than others, but basic values of respect are universal. Just put yourself in their shoes and think how you would like to be treated in that situation and you’ll do just fine.

AWARENESS

Each culture greatly influences the way people think, see, speak, listen and understand. Even in the way they act, cultural values plays a big part. It is a huge advantage for you if you know a second language because it will be easier for you to understand that individual who belongs to a certain cultural group. If not, at least try to make an effort to learn their culture as much as you can. Our cultural differences plays a big role in this part. Some expressions and gestures differs from one cultural group to another. Some gestures we are accustomed to may be insulting to others. For example, many nationalities view eye contact as a sign of respect when talking to someone but for some it is not that important. Many differences like these may cause conflict especially in our workplace. That’s why it would be better if we understand how to manage these differences.

LISTEN

Hearing is not listening. When you listen, you have the intention or the conscious effort to process the meaning of the words that is being said to you. By doing this, you give the person you are talking to, the time for him to finish what he or she needs to say before you begin.

But it is also important to listen to him/her with an open mind. Keep his/her cultural background in mind. Does he/she mean what he/she says exactly or not. Most English speaking countries tend to be more specific and direct, these are called low-context communicators, while some are high-context communicators which tends to be more elaborate. It is better to be mindful of the non-verbal gestures or cues from high context communicators to effectively understand them.

ACCEPTANCE

Sometimes it is not enough to listen to someone. It is much better if you comprehend what they really mean. And accept the fact that we have cultural dissimilarity. If we accept these differences, the more we will be able to communicate to them properly. Many global leaders use interpreters when dealing with other nationalities but the potential for misunderstanding grows. That’s why adapting to this challenge is necessary. Cross cultural knowledge is essential to anyone’s growth and success. Accept that cultural disparity are not barriers, just challenges that we have to welcome and find ways to work with.

So, those are the 4 keys on effective cross-cultural communication. Remember those tips to guide you on resolving cultural conflicts, issues and problems. But remember, this does not stop in just learning a new language, it is a continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills in making good relationship to members of other cultural groups.

Avoid Slangs

Not even the most educated non-native English speakers have the knowledge of a comprehensive list of local slang and idioms. Your non-native client or colleague may have a hard time understanding the context in which you meant it. 

Different individuals interpret words differently. It can occur even when speaking the same language and using the same words. Hence, be careful with choosing the right words to communicate with them. Otherwise, your colleagues or business partners may get confused. In the worst-case scenario, you may even end up offending them. 

Do Your Research

Prepare for and learn about the various cultures with whom your company interacts. That is what cultural awareness in the workplace entails. In contrast, the attitude of your company toward cultural sensitivity should start at the top. Incorporate cultural sensitivity into your company policy. 

It will assist your staff in understanding the necessity of treating everyone with respect.  Expression of respect should not factor in different cultural backgrounds. 

Establish repercussions for not being culturally sensitive. After all, ensuring that your employees pay enough importance to this issue is very necessary. If your organisation does business with people from a specific country, provide training to your employees. So, they may learn about the cultural norms of that country. You can even participate in the training yourself and lead by example. 

Get your customer representative team acquainted with the languages of countries you do business with. It is one of the best pro-tip on how do people develop cross cultural communication skills. 

Be Respectful & Empathetic

Being culturally sensitive has one main goal: to show people respect. Cultural traditions are important to every employee, customer, and partner. Make an effort to learn about their traditions. Share in their customs to show them how much you cherish your relationship with them.

Bring a treat to share with a Hindu colleague on the day of Diwali, a big religious holiday. If a customer is from another country and a national holiday is observed, wish him well on that day. Demonstrating the value of cultural awareness in the workplace is important. A small act of kindness can make someone remember your gesture forever!

How To Develop Awareness Of Individual Culture?

Every culture is different. And it has a different perspective of seeing things around the world. So before you learn how do people develop cross cultural communication skills, growing awareness of individual culture is imperative.

For instance, kissing your colleague or business partner in the UK is not an acceptable decorum. However, in France, a peck on each cheek is an everyday routine greeting. Furthermore, silence throughout a conversation is a crucial feature in Asian cultures. It indicates good listening skills. 

If you pose a question in a business situation in Asia, you might not get a response right away. The quiet between the inquiry and the answer is considered acceptable. The reason is, it demonstrates that the people involved are paying attention. In addition, it means that they are carefully contemplating what they say.

People from the United Kingdom, France and the United States, on the other hand, see silence as an awkward aspect of the conversation. And they try to fill it as quickly as possible. When interacting with Asian business colleagues, this may indicate that you are not paying attention. They might think you are not listening attentively enough.

In a broader context, global communication takes place in a common language. However, you have to understand the different cultural contexts of the sender and receiver of the message. It helps build an effective communication strategy.

You do not need to dive into cultures and subcultures. A fundamental understanding of cultural variety is the key to good cross cultural communication. That is the most important thing to recognise.  

There are people and groups whose first language, or preferred language, is not the same as ours. We must all learn how to interact more effectively with them. Rest assured, it does not necessitate studying individual cultures and languages in depth. 

Related:
1. 20+ Effective Communication Skills (Good for a Resume)
2. How to Develop Leadership Skills in the Workplace?
3. How to Improve Your Communication Skills in English?
4. 5 Interpersonal Skills That Every Manager Needs

Ensuring Success Of Business With Effective Cross Cultural Communication

It’s critical to learn how to deal with cross cultural differences ahead of time. It can help you to connect effectively with people from different cultures in the workplace. Building trust with your business partners is the best approach to communicate. 

This can be accomplished by researching. And being aware of cross cultural communication differences before any encounter always prevents regrets. In addition, this proactive attitude demonstrates to your partners that you care about the success of your collaboration.

It’s also crucial to understand the dos and don’ts of your interactions. Businesses will succeed in cross cultural communication if they are adequately prepared. For example, disagreements are common and more vehemently expressed in French, German cultures. However, people in Thailand and Brazil let that disagreement know in a gentle and subtle way. 

Understanding the nuances of different cultures is crucial. It helps you to be wary before getting into business with them. Consequently, invest in the right tools and professional assistance. It will go a long way to make your business succeed.  

Some companies use foreign language consultants. They assist companies in bridging the gap between cross cultural communication. Moreover, you can hire communications experts in the country where you do business. Professionals, such as marketing copywriters, need thorough training on cross cultural communication and references too. After all, they guarantee that the marketing message is delivered authentically. Also, the delivered message is in the language of the locals.

Learn more about cross cultural communication for a successful business from this Effective Communication Skills Course.

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