Communication Across Cultures Is Better With A Whole Brain Approach

Mind-Set In Cross-Cultural Communication

Cross-cultural communication is not an exact science. When you begin a cross-cultural business conversation for the first time, you cannot be sure where it will end.

Within cultures, people are different. Within the same cultural group:

• There are different ways of saying hello
• There are different ways of being polite
• There are different ways of being respectful

Most people do not fully understand the way in which differences in cultures, and even within cultures, impact communication. Let’s look at how people approach cross-cultural communication.

Different Approaches In Developing Cross-Cultural Skills

On one end of the scale, some people enter a cross-cultural conversation without making any concessions. Some go as far as behaving as if everyone is from their own hometown.

This does not help you pick up good cross-cultural communication skills quickly.

On the other end of the scale, some people are excessively studious and read up on specific local habits. They want standardized answers on what to bring if you are invited to dinner, how to dress, when to arrive, what to say. They look for exact literal translations into their own cultural habits and language.

This also does not help you pick up good cross-cultural communication skills quickly.

Reformat Your Approach

Although both of these methods have their downfalls, practice often gets everyone to pick up good cross-cultural skills.

If you want an easier place to start, you can find a better place to start developing your international mind-set.

The best way to go into your first cross-cultural communication is use a whole brain approach

With your right brain learn to relax.

• Be confident
• Be yourself
• Become aware of your own communication

Then, with your left brain let yourself open to meeting this different culture.

• Recognize your own different personal feelings and beliefs
• Consciously put them to the side

A whole brain approach leads to a positive meeting.

Right Brain

Allow your right brain to become in tune with the other person’s emotions.

• Can you pick up any emotional signals?
• Does your communication appear to be in the same place?

Open yourself up to communication with this other person. Adapt your response to his. Let your right brain open your communication.

Left Brain

With your left brain, look at the scene from a different perspective.

• Is this an interactive dialog?
• Are you in the same dialog?

If something seems out of place in your conversation, ask your left brain if there is something you can do to improve communication. Do not go overboard. Let your left brain keep control of your actions.

A Whole Brain Approach

Appearing warm and communicative, ready to open conversation and taking suitable actions ensures great communication.

Remember, respectful and polite communication works well in all cultures.

The trick is know how to adjust your own definition of respectful and polite to fit in well with other cultures. A whole brain approach will guide you to do this.

Don’t miss this guide on Get International Clients:
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