Clarity In Cross-Cultural Communication – Tip 6

by Cindy King on 6 June, 2009

Cross-Cultural Communication 30-Day Challenge – Get Extreme With Clarity

Over the next 5 days, we will look at how to avoid assumptions in our cross-cultural communications. When we add our own assumptions, no matter how big or small they are, they limit clarity in your communication. Assumptions simply spoil the communication. This is why they are the cause of many difficulties in cross-cultural communication.

Today we start with one of the most basic ways to avoid assumptions.

Clarity In Cross-Cultural Communication Tip 6

Here is today’s tip:

Ask follow up questions to confirm mutual understanding

Many international business professionals systematically ask this type of question at key stages in the conversation. They also know when to use short, well-written emails to summarize the understanding of what has been said.

Sometimes this type of question can be awkward for people to integrate into a conversation. And some cultures might find this type of question awkward if it is not part of the flow of the conversation. All I can say is that I learned a lot by watching the people around me who were better at it than I was. Slowly you learn to pick up the different ways and different styles to do this that suit your own communication style.

Use this tip as a starting point. Think about what this means to you. Not sure what you think about this? There are a few links below for suggested reading to get you started. Follow each of these tips this month to improve your cultural skills.

Further Suggested Reading & Viewing

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