Trust In Cross-Cultural Communication Challenge
This challenge helps to build trust for better cross-cultural communication. These tips are kept very short to help you think about each one in depth and to evaluate how this applies to your particular situation. There is also some suggested reading to inspire deeper reflection on what each of these tips means to you.
Why Is Trust Even More Critical In Cross-Cultural Communication
Most business professionals are well aware of the importance of trust. If you are not in international business, you might understand the importance of trust.
Trust is critical in international business simply because you often begin with a negative value in trust. It is even more important in cross-cultural communication. Here’s why…
Mistrust is common when you meet people from different cultures. Cultural differences inspire more distrust. I’m sure there is a link to the reptilian part of the brain related to primal instincts of mistrust of things that are foreign to us.
You can lose trust in the blink of an eye without realizing:
- Something is wrong
- What went wrong
You can lose trust faster in cross-cultural situations than when dealing with people from your own environment.
Cross-Cultural Communication Challenge – Build Trust
Use these tips as inspiration to think about how this applies to your business and how you can improve communication with your international clients.
Your challenge to improve you cross-cultural mindset:
- Read your daily tips every day during the challenge
- Think about what this means to you
- Reflect on how this could help you get more international clients
Don’t forget to download the free mini-poster:
Trust In Cross-Cultural Communication Tips
Here are 30 short and easy tips to improve your cross-cultural mindset.
Smooth Differences
- Trust Tip #1 - Keep your body language open to dialog
- Trust Tip #2 - Be aware of the cultural differences others see in you
- Trust Tip #3 - Explain things when others find them “foreign”
- Trust Tip #4 - Find the similarities and recognize them
- Trust Tip #5 - Focus on connecting with the other person
Quiet Self Confidence
- Trust Tip #6 - Do not feel threatened by other ways of thinking for doing things
- Trust Tip #7 - Know yourself and feel confident with who you are
- Trust Tip #8 - Trust yourself first
- Trust Tip #9 - Show confidence in your company and those you work with
- Trust Tip #10 - Groom natural self-confidence
Do What You Promise
- Trust Tip #11 - Clearly explain what you promise
- Trust Tip #12 - Be sure you know what your international client expects of you
- Trust Tip #13 – Deliver what you promise
- Trust Tip #14 – Confirm that your international client recieved what was promised and expected
- Trust Tip #15 – Be quick to discuss any change in your promise to international clients
Be Honest
- Trust Tip #16 - Be open and truthful
- Trust Tip #17 – No hidden agendas
- Trust Tip #18 – Be forthcoming
- Trust Tip #19 – Use extreme clarity to avoid wrong assumptions
- Trust Tip #20 – Groom your reputation for consistency in all aspects of how you come across to others
Show Respect
- Trust Tip #21 – Adopt a respectful attitude
- Trust Tip #22 – Listen with respect
- Trust Tip #23 – Do not be self centered
- Trust Tip #24 – Show yourself respect
- Trust Tip #25 – Understand what to say and when to say it
Be Polite
- Trust Tip #26 – Use Subtlety
- Trust Tip #27 – Seek the path of gentleness
- Trust Tip #28 – Cultivate authentic humility
- Trust Tip #29 – Do not brag and boast
- Trust Tip #30 – Show genuine care
