Discussion
Please find an article, written within the last 3 years, that discusses some aspect of intercultural communication in the workplace. The article could discuss many things such as: communication customs in a given country, low context and high context cultures, the challenges of intercultural communication, communication skills business people should have in international business, etc.
For your sources, please find the article from PCC’s online magazine database “EbscoHost”. EbscoHost is a very valuable database for students and anyone doing research. The college pays a lot of money each year so that students and researchers can access current articles from some of the world’s leading publications. In your future studies and in your career, these databases can provide great access to information, more than you may be able to find just doing web searches.
The following is a quick link to the PCC Library and its list of article databases. PCC Databases
Save a copy of the article in Word or Acrobat Reader. You’ll need a copy of this for your discussion post.
fter researching one intercultural communication article as described in Module 2, please do the following:
In your discussion post, provide a short summary (2 paragraphs) of the article, including your thoughts on the author’s point of view.
Add a heading to your summary with the article title and author’s name.
Attach a copy of the article, in either a docx or pdf format, to your discussion post.
Also response to 2 people:Your responses must be at least two paragraphs in length, but you can discuss any aspect of the articles you’d like.Replies may be posted by selecting a message and using the “Reply” button.
1. Exchanging Business Cards in Japan by Maxime Polleri
In this article an anthropologist narrates the exchange of business cards in Japanese culture. Business cards are very important in Japanese business culture and it is looked badly upon to be caught without having one available. When you are handed a business card, you must accept it as a gift, with both hands and read it thoroughly, and then you must give your business card in return. There is always an exchange.
The anthropologist goes on to examine the differences between what is typically inscribed on a Japanese business card in comparison to an American, in the given story the Japanese businessman often travels internationally and so his business card is offered in English on the backside. Because Japanese culture is sociocentric, the cards inscription begins by listing the mans affiliation/company first, then his rank/position, then family name/last name and finally his first name. In comparison, the U.S. is an egocentric culture and so the backside begins with first and last name, followed by profession and finally organization.
This is an interesting breakdown of how the simple tool that is a business card varies across cultures. The businessman in this article is a good example of how simple things can easily be overlooked. The pictures also give good visuals on the customary way to accept and exchange business cards in Japan. In America, it is common to accept a business card singlehandedly, take a glance and simply put it in your pocket, often without giving one back in return. To avoid making easily avoidable mistakes such as these, it is important to conduct cultural research before engaging in international business.
2. Intercultural communication is difficult enough with language barriers. Common expressions simply do not translate well, ad nonverbal communication isnt explored when learning a new language. Both are important factors in effective communication in the workplace. Here are a few tips on how to improve intercultural communication:
Remove Stereotypes: It is natural to think that methods of communication you grew up with are correct, but other cultures may have learned a different way. Rather than assuming your communication style is right, try to learn from others.
Avoid Slang: The language barrier is the largest cause of intercultural communication differences, and can be minimized by speaking properly to assure that people understand you.
Listen and Mirror Their Body Language: You can build rapport by watching for signs of personal boundaries, eye contact, and other body language that can signal trust and honesty in other cultures. Try not to appear as though youre mimicking, but simply allow them to take the lead.
Nonverbal Cues: Some cultures have a code of etiquette that governs nearly every movement while others are laid back. Familiarize yourself with other cultural norms to help aid your communication.
Gender differences can cause problems as well in communicating with other cultures. Studies have been done that show that women like to discuss a topic at length while men tend to jump from topic to topic. Whether interacting with other people that are different genders, ages, or religions you should always be mindful of how you are perceived. Harassment can be the result of communication that had good intentions in the beginning but got carried away or was perceived poorly. You should attend diversity training and always be considerate of other cultures. In the end depending on what your culture or communication style is, try taking cues from the other person and being mindful of your actions and although it may seem difficult at times the rewards are well worth the effort and are appreciated by others.
I think the most of author’s views on intercultural communication are great. It’s good to just learn to read the room and take cues from others if you’re not sure what to do. I think most people who are considerate and self aware aren’t the ones that run into issues. The people who run into issues are not even aware that there may be cultural or gender differences and they may be perceived as rude by their actions or words. I would have only 1 tip for anyone, and it would be to just be self aware and read the room. Everything else falls under that umbrella and as long as you try, people will appreciate it.
HOW TO IMPROVE CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE
By Tim Stobierski|November 12, 2019
INDUSTRY ADVICECOMMUNICATIONS & DIGITAL MEDIA
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Its no secret that effective communication is central to the success of any organization, regardless of industry. But in order to truly understand what it takes to communicate effectively, you must first understand the different cultural factors that influence the way people interact with one another.
Our world is more interconnected than ever before, a fact that has given rise to many changes in the ways that businesses and organizations operate. Workplaces are more diverse, remote teams are scattered across the country or around the world, and businesses that once sold products to a single demographic might now sell to a global market. All of these factors have converged to make cross-cultural communication a vital part of organizational success.
Heres a look at why cross-cultural communication is important in the workplace, and the steps you can take to overcome cultural barriers and improve communication within your organization.
What is Cross-Cultural Communication?
Cross-cultural communicationis the process of recognizing both differences and similarities among cultural groups in order to effectively engage within a given context. In other words, cross-cultural communication refers to the ways in which people from different cultural backgrounds adjust to improve communication with one another.
In todays rapidly changing professional world, its critical to gain an understanding of how cultural elements influence communication between individuals and groups in the workplace. Developing strong cross-cultural communication skills is the first step in creating a successful work environment that brings out the best in all of an organizations team members.
Why is Cross-Cultural Communication Important?
To be successful in any industry, organizations need to understand the communication patterns of employees, customers, investors, and other audiences. Awareness and willingness to adjust allow for the exchange of information regardless of cultural values, norms, and behaviors that may vary between audiences.
Given the different backgrounds that each audience comes from, it is critical to understand how culture influences communication, and how this can impact organizational processes. Dr. Patty Goodman, faculty lead for cross-cultural communication in NortheasternsMasters in Corporate and Organizational Communicationsprogram, says, Effective cross-cultural communication is essential to preventing and resolving conflict, building networks, and creating a satisfactory work environment for everyone involved.
Additionally, theSociety for Human Resource Management(SHRM) reports that culture has a significant impact on productivity. As such, it is important to be cognizant of the fact that employees from different backgrounds are motivated by different incentives and react differently to various management and communication styles.
How to Improve Cross-Cultural Communication
Here are four tips to help you improve cross-cultural communication in your organization.
1. Embrace Agility
The inability or unwillingness to adapt to change is a common barrier to cross-cultural communication. Often, people are reluctant to accept new things due to an unconscious fear that doing so will change their culture or belief system in some way, Goodman explains. If these assumptions are not questioned, actions can be detrimental to personal and organizational growth. By becoming aware of unconscious barriers or subconscious biases, people can become more open to adapting.
When an organization becomes too set in its ways, it can halt improvements because they are not open to trying different ways of doing things, Goodman says.
Instead, organizations need to be focused on continuous improvement, which requires a certain degree of flexibility and willingness to try different ways of doing things. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem. Rather, the best way to address the issue often involves getting started on an individual level.
To begin, consider stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things in the workplace. In terms of cross-cultural communication, one of the best ways to embrace this idea is to try new methods of doing things in ways that can help you better understand the perspectives of others.
2. Be Open-Minded
Similarly, closed-mindedness is another barrier to cross-cultural communication that can hinder the success of an organization.
People get caught in the trap of thinking that there is one right way to do things and everything else is wrong, Goodman points out.
On a personal level, becoming more open-minded can be as simple as learning more about an idea that you wouldnt have considered otherwise. Being exposed to new viewpoints and making the effort to understand them can have an impact on how you make decisions moving forward.
On the other hand, when youre in a situation where you must work with a closed-minded individual, Goodman suggests you ask questions and look for opportunities to offer a range of thoughts for your audience by providing reliable and valid pieces of data. Leveraging accurate data can be a powerful tool when convincing someone to consider other ideas. By discussing options and listening, you can build trust.
However, presenting this information in an effective way can be a challenge. If people feel overwhelmed by the information or do not trust its validity, it can have the opposite effect. Be sure to carefully identify and present the information to successfully encourage others to approach other ideas with an open mind.
3. Facilitate Meaningful Conversation
A lack of communication in an organization can exacerbate cultural differences between individuals. In an environment that does not allow for open communication, people tend not to speak up or share comments and feedback with one another.
So, how might members of an organization facilitate open conversation and freely interact with each other? Although the organizational culture is unlikely to change overnight, making the effort to spark conversations on the individual level can be a step in the right direction.
One of the best ways to get started is to connect with someone who might have a different perspective from your own, Goodman remarks. Start a conversation with someone in another department and ask questions, and try to gain a better understanding of their point of view by actively listening.
Not only will this allow you to gain an understanding and appreciation for another persons perspective, but it will also help to build strong relationships in the workplace. Goodman recommends being curious, asking questions, and being open to different points of view.
Encouraging meaningful interactions also has a significant impact on the overall environment by creating a comfortable space where team members can openly share their thoughts and ideas.
4. Become Aware
Another important step to improving cross-cultural communication in the workplace is to become moreculturally and self-aware.
On a personal level, you should make an effort to acknowledge your own implicit biases and assumptions that affect the way you interact with others. Although this may be easier said than done, you can start by making a conscious attempt to empathize with your audience and gain a better understanding of their point of view.
At the organizational level, Goodman recommends starting with an audit of internal communications. Throughout this process, you should be asking how your mission and company values are defined, whether or not they are inclusive, and whether the teams various cultures have been taken into account. Performing this analysis will give you a good idea of the state of your corporate culture, including areas in your organizational communication strategy that you can improve to better serve your team members and achieve your goals.
Improving Workplace Communication
Cross-cultural communication is just one (albeit important) aspect of an organizations overall communication strategy, and improving in this area can be a great first step in maximizing employee and business performance overall.
In addition to the tips listed above, learning the foundations of corporate communications can provide you with the skills needed to understandallof the factors that influence communication in the workplace. Earning amasters degree in corporate communicationscan help you do just that.
Northeasterns Corporate and Organizational Communications program, in particular, is designed to instill students with the theoretical foundations of communication theory, as well as the practical skills necessary to excel professionally.
Formal education challenges you to think critically and creates an environment where you can practice your communication skills in order to be effective in the real world, Goodman says.
By enrolling in such a program, you are met with countless opportunities to interact with experts in the field and practice experiential learning.
Additionally, Northeasterns program offers several concentrations tailored to students career goals, including a concentration in cross-cultural communication. This particular track offers practical tools to successfully navigate cultural fields of interest and gain skills to develop a cultural audit. Agraduate certificate in cross-cultural communicationis also available.
