Team CCA has been traveling a lot recently. In the past couple of months alone we have been in Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, and Jordan (just to name a few hotspots) leading workshops and one-on-one sessions with top leaders. One of the questions we get asked the most is, what differences and similarities do we find when communicating with people from other countries and cultures?
It’s a really interesting topic as every culture is so unique. In some regions, people are completely comfortable getting up in front of others to speak. In other countries, individuals are taught that it is not okay to stand out, speak publicly, or, in general, draw attention to yourself.
Here are some of the similarities we have found no matter where we have taught: To start, everyone dislikes public speaking! The fear of getting up in front of others is completely universal! People are also unsure of what to do with their hands and bodies in general. And most people need help crafting a true story that will help hook an audience.
As for differences… we have noticed that people in certain regions of the globe have an easier time using emotion to convey their message while others aren’t very comfortable showing emotion in a business setting. Gestures are also quite tricky. One hand gesture can be totally benign in one area and considered completely offensive in another.
Why is Cross-Cultural Communication Important?
It’s important to understand how your audience may perceive your message and your body language. Being sensitive to cross-cultural communication will help you avoid misunderstandings, build relationships, increase market share and expand business, and improve the way your team collaborates.
Whether you are a CEO addressing a culturally diverse workforce or presenting at a conference in another country, the following are some tips for cross-cultural communication.
Do Your Research
Before speaking in front of any group, you should know exactly who you will be addressing. Will audience members include people from different backgrounds and cultures? Always research your audience so you can tailor your message and avoid making any etiquette faux pas.
Keep Your Message Simple
Even if your audience will be made up of people who share your culture and background, it’s never a good idea to use jargon or big words just for the sake of showing off. This is especially true if your audience will be diverse.
You should also stay away from slang words or colloquial sayings. For example, the phrase “Well the cat was now out of the bag” may not land with every audience member.
Focus on using simple and concise ways of sharing your ideas and passion and leave all ambiguity and potential confusion behind.
Actively Listen
There’s listening… and then there’s actively listening. When communicating with a diverse audience, it’s critical to pay attention to any cues people may be sending. For example, what are people’s facial expressions saying? Are they engaged? Or are they confused or offended? When leading a diverse team, really listen to what others are saying. You may pick up cues that your message has not gotten through clearly enough.
Conflict
When dealing with conflicts in culturally-diverse teams in the US or overseas, understand that the way a certain culture deals with conflict may differ from how you have traditionally dealt with it. Not all cultures are comfortable tackling a conflict head-on or using a very direct approach. Again, you will want to know exactly who you are dealing with to understand the diverse backgrounds so you can put out fires in a respectful and effective way.
Final Thoughts
Whether you have Zoom meetings with people from around the globe or lead a culturally-diverse team in your own city, effective communication has never been more important. By doing your research, keeping your message simple, actively listening, and choosing the right conflict resolution, you will ensure your message gets through every time.
