Cultural Communication & Education

Without a doubt the biggest barrier in cross-cultural negotiations is:

your own mindset

We all tend to think any barriers in cross-cultural communication and negotiation is due to something beyond ourselves.

But we all forget that we all come to the cross-cultural negotiation table with our own cultural prejudices.

To put it in other words…

We automatically assume our way of thinking, our way of doing things, is the only way or the “right” way.

So, when you first start in cross-cultural negotiations, your own mindset will be your biggest risk in cultural blunders.

You need to put aside your own ideas, thoughts and opinions in your cross-cultural communication.

This takes a little practice…

Simply because these little ideas, thoughts and opinions have a habit of wanting to find their own way back.

You need to make a conscious effort to communicate with people from other cultures on a “prejudice-free” environment.

I have a little technique I use that has always worked well for me.

When I am communicating with someone from a different culture than mine, I imagine myself turning 90 degrees from my waist up to meet them.

It is as if I keep my full cultural profile out of their view and that is where my own cultural prejudices stay.

And that 90 degree turn is the one where I greet people politely.

I imagine myself in this position until the encounter is over. Some people say “put your best face first”. I guess I took that literally.

With practice this becomes easy and natural to do.

• If you can adapt your own mindset to receive cross-cultural communication without any of your own filters,
• If you are interested in understanding the other person,
• If you interact appropriately with the other person,

Then your communication will be successful 95% of the time.

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Watch the video related to cultural communication

The back ground music by Omar Akram www.omarakram.com Omar:”In a world where communication and understanding between cultures is sometimes difficult, I hope my music can serve as a form of international language that crosses any cultural barriers. Having lived and traveled in many countries, I have come to realize that we need to embrace aspects of each culture that make them unique and special. What some people see as problematical differences, I see as our planet’s entire cultural heritage …

Help answer the question about cultural communication

What is the difference between intercultural communication and cross-cultural communication?

About Author

Cindy King
Cross-Cultural Marketer & International Sales Specialist

Over 25 years field experience in aligning cultural offers for international sales.

International content strategy
Custom publishing in English to build international markets B2B international lead generation

40km south of Paris, France – GMT+1
Cell: +33 6 98 91 86 11
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