How To Develop Your Cross-Cultural Skills

People from different cultures do things differently.  Some of these differences are easy to see.  Some of these cultural differences are more difficult to see. We sometimes get a small clue that there is unseen cultural difference when we feel a bit of confusion or even a negative response. Cultural differences create cross-cultural barriers and lead to misunderstandings.

When developing cross-cultural skills, you need to know where to look…

…where to dig deeper, to increase your understanding of this different culture and then adapt your own communication.

How do you get beyond the visible cultural differences and develop your cross-cultural communication skills?

Obvious Cultural Differences

Here are some cultural differences that are very easy to see:

• Physical features, such as predominant skin, hair and eye colors
• Language and  accents
• Food
• Eating Habits
• Different clothes and dress styles
• Different preferences in entertainment
• Music preferences
• Favorite television shows
• Advertising styles

These cultural differences are often easy to identify.

But don’t stop here…

Noticeable Cultural Differences

With a little observation you can also get a good glimpse of some other cultural differences:

• Social behavior
• Patterns and forms in communication
• Politeness
• Demonstrating friendship

Although it is often easy to observe these differences, it is not always easy to understand them.

When looking from the outside towards these cultural differences your own communication barriers can crop up and hinder effective cross-cultural communication.

This is why you need to dig deeper at this particular stage…

…before your own natural communication barriers have a chance to influence your communication.

To develop cross-cultural skills you need to go beyond what you see on the surface. You need to understand why different people have these cultural differences.

Cultural Differences Under The Surface

Here is what you cannot see when observing different cultures:

• Different beliefs
• Different values
• Different expectations in communication
• Different reactions to everything
• Different communication habits such as direct communication and the use of silence
• Different notions of time
• Different values towards space with regards to personal contact

Open Up Your Understanding

It is essential to dig up these unseen differences.  The next step towards developing cross-cultural understanding is to open yourself up to this understanding.

It is often our own personal barriers that keep us from developing cross-cultural skills.  Opening ourselves up to be able to understand different cultures often requires personal effort.

More On How To Develop Your Cross-Cultural Skills:

• Getting Beyond Visible Cultural Differences
• Getting Acquainted With Your Cultural Baggage
• International Exposure To Develop Cross-Cultural Skills
• How An Open Mindset Increases Confidence
• International Exposure To Develop Cross-Cultural Skills
• Morphing Into A Foreign Culture
• Prejudice – A Cross-Cultural Business Barrier

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• Connect With Your International Markets
• Culture Customized Content
• Cultural Web Tools

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Getting Beyond Visible Cultural Differences