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-decisions?
Deal with Conflict?
Manage Schedules?
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Introduction
Case Study
Resources
Cross-Cultural
Communication
The workplace and the classroom are becoming
more culturally diverse. The benefits are that varied background bring more
diverse ideas and can promote creativity. At the same time, different cultures
have different understandings about what are appropriate and inappropriate
communication behaviors. Learning about those differences can help increase your
ability to reduce misunderstandings and encourage all members to participate in
the discussions and decisions.
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Cultures
from northern Europe, North America and Japan emphasize promptness while cultures
from southern Europe, South America and the Mediterranean emphasize
people’s involvement, taks completion, but are not generally focused
on a deadline/schedule |
| Many cultures even in Western Europe
place a high value on authoritarian and position power, while the U.S. and
Canada values the individual’s ability to achieve influence through expertise
and hard work |
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Japanese,
Chinese, Hispanic and Arabic cultures place more importance on where
and how words are spoken (context) rather than the 'literal meaning"
of words themselves as North Americans, Germans and Scandinavians are.
In the
U.S.
directness is logical. In other cultures it may be considered impolite and
arrogant. |
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Saying
"no" in some cultures is taboo, but to Americans it is considered appropriate.
So it is important to look for
non-verbal cues for actual meaning. |
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In
the U.S. accomplishment of individual gaols are rewarded. In East
Asian, Central and South America, Africa and Europe reaching
group goals is more emphasized. |
Read more about
Cross-Cultural Communication
Tactics for Removing
Cross Cultural Communication Barriers
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