5 Pillars To Meaningful Intercultural Communication

There is an increasing focus in modern business on being global, diverse, and cosmopolitan. But why?

Whilst you may think of these as little more than fun buzzwords, understanding globality and diversity is crucial in today’s international environment – corporate or otherwise.

Because this is the reality and future of the world we live in.

Today, business and communications landscapes are expanding across social, political, geographical, and cultural borders. This is connecting people, ideas, and ways of life from all over the globe. Negotiating these differences through effective intercultural communication is a skill that could set you and your business apart and prepare you for the future.

So, What Is Intercultural Communication?

Intercultural communication involves the exchange of information, ideas, and meanings between individuals or groups from diverse cultural backgrounds. To succeed in this form of communication, one must understand the social norms, languages, behaviours, and communication practices that characterise different cultures. By doing so, we can bridge gaps, foster mutual respect, and promote global understanding.

At the core of effective intercultural communication lies the recognition and respect of cultural differences. Each culture has a unique perspective that influences communication styles, perceptions, and interpretations. Acknowledging these differences is the initial step toward successful communication. When individuals understand and respect the nuances of various cultures, they can navigate the complexities of intercultural interactions more effectively.

Adapting to different cultural norms and practices is crucial in intercultural communication. Mutual adaptation involves both parties making efforts to adjust their communication styles and behaviours to align with each other’s cultural expectations. Additionally, biculturalism, which allows individuals to integrate aspects of multiple cultures into their identity, further enhances adaptability. It enables seamless navigation between cultures, enriching both personal and professional lives.

Keen to better comprehend today’s world to do better business tomorrow? Keen on learning how to better understand other cultures and communicate with them? Find out how with these 5 steps below.

1. Keep It Simple

“Every human is like all other humans, some other humans, and no other human.” — Clyde Kluckhon

First and foremost, intercultural communication is a form of communication much like any other. It’s a flow of information between people.

Think in terms of your audience and speak to their understanding. Yes, you are communicating with humans of diverse origins. But, just like yourself, they are just that – humans!

We all wish to comprehend each other and find joy in discovering common ground between us. To make things easier for everyone, be clear in your speech (enunciation, diction, grammar) and your purpose.

Be wary of jargon and complex structures such as double negatives. This also applies to idioms, as these are highly contextual. Though fun to use in business language, even expressions like “from the get-go”, “touch base”, and “ballpark figure” can be confusing and distract from your main idea.

This is very important to keep in mind as some members of your audience may not be fluent speakers of your language.

Ultimately, the best kind of message is a clear message.

2. R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Aretha Franklin couldn’t have said it better. When people feel respected, understood, and listened to, it builds a profound level of trust and esteem. This foundation of positive, rewarding relationships is essential for powerful communication in any setting.

Respect serves as a fundamental element in all business communication. While it manifests in various forms, it undeniably exists across cultures worldwide.

Navigating intercultural communication can be challenging. What is acceptable or effective may differ significantly. Some individuals respond well to direct language and approaches, while others perceive them as aggressive. With conscientious research and observation, you’ll gradually find your footing.

To interact effectively and consciously with others, cultivate habits such as:

1. Being mindful of customs and traditions
2. Showing curiosity about different worldviews
3. Paying attention to non-verbal cues
4. Understanding the context behind cultural practices

Developing intercultural sensitivity is crucial for effective cross-cultural communication. It involves awareness of cultural differences, empathy, and coordination across cultural boundaries. Whether it’s learning key phrases in another language or appreciating non-verbal cues, this sensitivity enhances your ability to communicate with respect and understanding.

3. Strike A Chord

Intercultural communication is not merely about transmitting information; it’s about the mutual creation of meaning. This dynamic process involves both the sender and the receiver interpreting messages within their cultural contexts. Recognising that meaning is co-created allows individuals to approach communication more flexibly, focusing on shared understanding rather than mere message delivery.

Great leaders know that true communication is never one-sided or void of emotion. In fact, anything related to teams or groups requires collective effort, cooperation, and, ideally, mutual understanding.

“The essence of cross-cultural communication has more to do with releasing responses than with sending messages. It is more important to release the right response than to send the right message.” — Edward T. Hall

With this in mind, consider how you view yourself in relation to others. Of course, if you are in a higher-tier (executive or managerial) role, you are responsible for others and perhaps not on their same level as far as the business’ organisation is concerned. However, your amount of authority and duty over others does not have to dictate your form of personal expression.

If you wish to really resonate with your team or audience, speak to them as equals and partners. Communicate in a way that not only carries but evokes emotion.

A great trick for leaving a deeper impression can be as simple as choosing your words wisely. Think about the difference between the words ‘lead’ and ‘command’, or ‘educate’ and ‘enforce’. Words carry meaning, and the vocabulary that you use when communicating should be in line with the values and messages that you wish to convey.

4. When In Doubt, Leave It Out

“The stranger sees only what he knows.” — African proverb

It is human nature to be wary of the unknown. But for some of us, curiosity (and even overconfidence) can tempt us to try and tackle things that we are perhaps not prepared for.

As strangers to another culture, we may only see and perceive what is already familiar to us, potentially misunderstanding or critiquing things that we are not fully informed about.

Discussing certain cultural, religious, and political situations can provoke bias or tension, distracting from your message. If you do find yourself out of your depth when faced with an audience or an issue that is unfamiliar to you, don’t fret! Take a moment to reflect, and approach sensitive subjects with due care.

This is a great opportunity to research and expand your knowledge base further. Otherwise, by diving straight into the deep end and ‘winging it’, you may risk offending others (or, at the very least, coming across as unprofessional).

You know what they say about assuming!

Various barriers can hinder effective intercultural communication, including language differences, stereotypes, and cultural misunderstandings. Overcoming these challenges requires active listening, openness to learning, and the willingness to question one’s assumptions. Strategies such as seeking clarification, using simple language, and being patient can help you navigate these barriers.

5. Enjoy The Experience

“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.” — Marcus Garvey

Perspective and attitude can have an immense effect on the way that you interact with others. Ultimately, communicating with others should be a pleasure, not a chore. And this should show when you do it.

If you have set up your business in a new market or are hoping to expand your business overseas, for example, this is a wonderful test of your business savvy, ambitions, and awareness.

Furthermore, those who embrace the global and intercultural aspect of business and life consider it a privilege to be able to interact with people who have so many different viewpoints and backgrounds to offer.

Of course, these differences can create gaps between people, potentially presenting challenges that affect productivity and professional rapport. But if we are to prepare for a future of international business and exchange networks that know no bounds, these gaps must be bridged. And this is where intercultural communication plays a key role.

After all, without our cultures, values, and beliefs…where would we be? Who would we be.

Conclusion

In conclusion, intercultural communication is a complex but rewarding endeavour that requires awareness, adaptability, and sensitivity. By understanding and embracing cultural differences, individuals and organisations can build stronger, more respectful, and productive relationships across the globe.