Many people are now working remotely, and with this comes the challenge of communicating with colleagues who may have different cultures.
Effective communication is key to team success, so it’s important to navigate these differences and respect all cultures. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome these barriers and work more effectively together.
Learn the Language
As the saying goes, “the world is a book, and those who do not read it are doomed to repeat it.” Learning a new language can help you understand other cultures.
In addition, it will enable you to communicate with those who don’t speak your native language, which is a crucial part of breaking cultural barriers.
Practicing your language is the most important aspect of improving your skills, and it can be done in many different ways.
For instance, reading can help you improve your vocabulary and sentence construction. It also helps you learn about the culture associated with words.
Getting involved in your community is another way to build relationships with people from other backgrounds. It can be as simple as joining a new club, attending a multicultural event on campus, or volunteering with an organization that supports immigrants in your community.
Be Culturally Aware
When working with people from different cultures, it’s essential to be culturally aware and respectful. This will help you navigate and respect different customs a person might have, which can lead to better communication, increased productivity, and happier employees.
It is also important for leaders to be receptive to learning how other people perceive the world. This will help them empathize with their teams and develop a culture of compassion, which will make for an overall more inclusive environment at work.
One of the best ways to get a sense of a person’s culture is to immerse yourself in their language. This can be done through travel or living in a diverse community.
Be Open-Minded
One of the most effective ways to navigate cultural barriers is to be genuinely open-minded. Being open-minded involves actively seeking out evidence to support your beliefs and weighing that evidence fairly against other options.
In contrast, close-mindedness is much more rigid. People who are closed-minded have a hard time considering new perspectives and ideas, especially those that run counter to their initial beliefs.
This is why it’s important to create a culture of open communication at work, particularly for cross-cultural teams. It’s the only way to make sure that all employees understand one another and can work together effectively.
Be Patient
When communicating with someone from another country, it can be a challenge to read their body language or pick up on non-verbal cues. This can be especially true when you are working remotely, where you may be using messaging services rather than face-to-face communications.
Regardless of the communication method you choose, it is important to be patient and respectful. Miscommunication is a real thing, and sometimes it just takes time to clear the air. It is also helpful to be cognizant of the fact that people from different cultures learn at their own pace. This will allow you to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
Be Flexible
As you enter a new culture, it is important to be flexible and respectful. Not only will it make you feel more comfortable, but it will also help you learn and understand the culture.
You will need to pay attention to customs such as attire, eye contact, and even religious beliefs. Understanding these differences will help you avoid misunderstandings and keep your journey memorable and meaningful.
As parents, we can encourage flexible thinking in our kids by brainstorming scenarios where they might experience something that doesn’t go the way they planned. We can ask them to respond with a flexible thought instead of an angry or disrespectful one, and then praise them for their good choice.
