Cross-Cultural Communication 30-Day Challenge – Get Extreme With Clarity
Most people are confident of their own communication when they are having a conversation. After all, this is something we do every day. We do not often stop to ask ourselves what the other person understands and how this is different from what we want to say. Because of this, it is easy to feel confident within a cross-cultural conversation.
Clarity In Cross-Cultural Communication Tip 8
Today’s tip is to stop this confidence from leading us into culture blunders:
Ask questions to get specific information and avoid assumptions
Communication between different cultures is always full of surprises. And the trouble is that you might not know what to pay attention to. When your conversation is about specific details you must be sure to clarify these details as much as possible.
This is why you need to include questions and take the time to go over everything very clearly. The danger is that sometimes things are obvious to us but not to the other person. And sometimes both cultures can have different assumptions on the same subject. You must look at all of your assumptions and make sure they are understood by both parties. Don’t let any assumptions stop you from the asking questions you need to clarify your cross-cultural communication.
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
- International Sales Best Practice – Reach The Decision Maker
- International Market Research Essentials
- How Assumptions Kill International Sales
Get All Cross-Cultural Communication Tips:
- Read more about all of the 2009 Cross-Cultural Communication Challenges
- Cross Cultural Communication Challenge 1 – Expand Your Mindset
- Cross Cultural Communication Challenge 2 – Get Extreme With Clarity
- Cross Cultural Communication Challenge 3 – Build Trust
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She is who I turn to when I have questions and you should too"
-- Chris Garrett, co-author of the "Problogger" book
