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With globalization impacting every facet of our lives, from the workplace to the marketplace, we sometimes wonder if “culture” really matters - after all, in many contexts, we generally speak the same language, i.e., English, and we follow the same rules, laws and procedures, especially in our organizations.

Assuming similarity often seduces us into overestimating the leveling effect of the approximately 95% of human values and motivations we share around the world.  We tend to neglect that 5% of differences which appear to cause 95% of our cross-cultural misunderstandings!

Why didn’t she reply more quickly?  Why does he seem to beat around the bush?  Why does he want to rush ahead when we need more analysis?  Why does she give so much detail?  Why does he only provide the conclusion with no support?

How we prefer to communicate, make decisions, approach problems and find solutions are clearly culturally influenced.  But in our culturally complex world, the prospect of understanding everyone, everywhere can seem overwhelming.

Intercultural effectiveness begins with each of us.  We are like pebbles tosses into a pond –at the point of contact, the impact is greatest, but effects can ripple outward and touch distant places. 

Success Across Cultures:  Personal Strategies

While few have received cross-cultural effectiveness training or education, packing a few Personal Success Strategies in your Cultural Luggage, not baggage, can help anyone communicate effectively across all cultures, whether at work or in daily life.

·      Check Out Assumptions And Interpretations     

“My colleague did not yet reply to my urgent email requesting data ASAP.  Doesn’t he know we have a deadline?  He obviously doesn’t care about the project.”

Feeling that emails should be responded to quickly, I could assume that my colleague’s slower-than-expected reply demonstrates a lazy attitude toward our project, and interpret his actions to imply that he doesn’t care about deadlines. While I may think ASAP means within 24 hours, my colleague may take the words literally and respond only when he has a full answer.

If I had checked out my assumptions and interpretations, I may have found that my colleague prioritizes being thorough and comprehensive over sending a fast reply of poor quality or incomplete content, thereby preventing being seen as professional!

In a split second, we see an action, give it meaning, and decide if it was right or wrong, good or bad.  Unknowingly, not “taking off our own glasses” and using our own cultural rules to see, make sense of and evaluate situations can cause frustration, misunderstanding, and conflict.

·      Avoid Focusing Too Narrowly On Task or Objective

While deadlines are realistic and time crunch inevitable, narrowly focusing on our own task or objective can cause us to perceive selectively:  what I hear is only what supports reaching my goal; what I see is limited to what facilitates or hinders progress towards my aim. 

An eye on the deadline to the exclusion of all else can prevent seeing elements that may be important and influential to the cohesiveness, trust and productivity on our team or workgroup.  Don’t miss out on the chance to build stronger working relationships while improving the quality of ideas - this can equal efficiency!

·      Look for Both/And instead of Either/Or.

”My way or your way?”  suggests tension, conflict and resistance.   When we try to see and understand other’s viewpoints, whether agreeing or not, we show respect and demonstrate the validity and worthiness of their perspectives.  What initially looks like opposition can become an additional resource.

·      Assume Positive Intent. 

We do not do what we do because we think it is wrong!  Our approach or behavior has been rewarded or reinforced by our cultures   Instead of asking “why”, ask “what was your goal or desire to achieve?” Seeking the value IN one’s behavior as well as the value driving the action can simultaneously provide innovative ideas and glue to bind a productive relationship.

·      Take Moment Of Reflection To Consider Other’s Perceptions

Before you pick up the phone or click ‘send’ on the computer, consider how what you say or do may be perceived by another.  This moment of reflection can help you adapt your words and behaviors strategically and appropriately according to the person you are communicating with, for what purpose and in what cultural context.  Many a misunderstanding has been avoided; many an escalation prevented by taking this valuable moment!

Personal Success Strategies enable you to approach every cross-cultural interaction first to learn - before offering advice or your pre-determined solutions, build a respectful partnership and benefit from open 2-way communication.

The Attitude of Learning and Discovery; Don’t Leave Home without It!

Kathleen Curran is co-author of Cultural Detective^® Malaysia and Cultural Detective^® Singapore. She uses the Cultural Detective^® Method as the "backbone" of most of her work. Founder and principal consultant of Intercultural Systems, specializing in global leadership development; team and organization intercultural effectiveness.