We often fail to appreciate the immense diversity around us.
We are so immersed in ourselves and our work that we overlook the different
cultures and traditions of the people we spend so much time with, our
coworkers. Yes, believe it or not we spend more than 60-70 hours a week at our
work places. That’s almost 35 - 40% percent of our lives. Don’t you think
getting to know your colleagues a little bit more can actually help make things
better at your office? After all it is sort of like our second home.
Respect
Cultural Norms
Working in a multinational corporation sure has its perks.
But it can also become quite unpleasant if you don’t take care of certain
cultural boundaries. You may be the cool boss or the employee of the month but
it is important that you make everyone around you feel welcome and valued. It
is imperative that you respect the cultural and religious sentiments of those
around you. In many organizations it is recommended that you go through a
cultural training that primarily familiarizes you with how to communicate with
others.
Keep it
Short and Simple
Try not to make things harder than they already are. Keep
your discussions short and words simple. All meetings and calls should be clear
and concise. It is important you that you listen to others as much as you
speak. Active listening can help solve many such issues that others might face
on a daily basis. Even while making conversations and small talk, give others
the chance to express their point of view as well. Make sure they understand
the message you’re trying to convey.
Avoid Using
Slangs
Jargons like ‘under the weather’ and ‘take a rain check ’
might be quite popular among non-native English speakers but it always better
if you don’t use typical idioms and argots that are specific to your state or
country. Always try and speak slowly and enunciate your words. People coming
from different regions have different accents and it is not right to expect
them to be completely fluent in a different language. It is also not possible
for everyone to pronounce all the words in a similar manner.
Embrace the
Differences
One of the biggest barriers that we face in cross cultural
communication is that we don’t make the effort to get to know the cultures and
habits of others. Let’s change this conceited attitude. Now it is impossible to
know everything about very culture but it is possible to something about them.
Even if we know the basics, it is enough. For e.g. food. Keep in mind that what
you eat may be normal for you but might not be for others. Differences and
diversity is what makes the world so colorful and vibrant. Instead of tabooing,
let’s celebrate our differences and dissimilarities.
Be Funny,
Not Offensive
It is good to have a sensible sense of humor. You may even
have won many hearts with your charms and jokes. But at the same time, it is
also important not to offend someone while doing so. Be sensitive to others’
ideologies and beliefs. It is one thing to laugh with someone and another to
laugh at the expense of someone. One should be able to differentiate between
the two.
It is vital that we keep an open mind and facilitate
meaningful conversations. Cross cultural communication is one of the key
parameters of a successful organization. Today’s digital world has given us
access to work with people from different geological locations with varied
cultures and social customs. Instead of staying confined to our own philosophies
and ethnicities, let’s open our arms and invite the diversity. Because above
all we are humans and no race, no religion, no border should come in between
that.
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