Cross-Cultural Communication 30-Day Challenge – Build Trust
This is the final tip in this cross-cultural communication challenge to build trust. We are finishing the topic of being polite on a high note. Here are the previous 4 tips in this series:
Be Polite
Most people are aware of the potential for getting politeness wrong in cross-cultural communication. Cultural differences usually stick out like sore thumbs. In international business the problem of not being perceived as polite usually stems from two things:
- Being new to cross-cultural communication
- Not having or taking the personal time to adapt to the cultural differences
If you are ever confronted with this challenge there is something you can rely on to give you a good start. And it is a practice that works well for non-beginners too.
Trust In Cross-Cultural Communication Challenge – Tip 30
Show genuine care
People like doing business with other people. The foreignness of cross-cultural communication is a big elephant in the room. But you can also turn to a basic element of human nature.
A Genuine Caring Attitude
Everyone knows how to recognize a genuine attitude of care.
One caring action might be misinterpreted by different cultures, but a sincere caring attitude transmits through most cultures.
Find Common Ground
In amidst the cultural differences it is always good to show the common things we have as humans. Finding common ground and shared interests is a good tactic to use to get to know people from other cultures. But where do you start when you cannot see anything you might have in common?
Well instead of saying that you have nothing in common and instead of focusing on the cultural differences, take the first step and adopt a caring attitude.
- Show interest
- Show that you care
- Become curious
- Ask questions
- …And maintain a caring attitude
When Caring Is Not Easy
In a business environment this might not always be easy. It may be difficult to separate what is personal and what is business. The caring attitude might come across as false especially within a cross-cultural environment. Or you might make closer friends than you would normally have in other circumstances.
But through good business practices and international experience most people learn how to find this genuine attitude of care.
Caring Goes With Politeness
There is a link between this genuine attitude of care and politeness.
In cross-cultural encounters you need to understand others and adapt the way you express politeness to different cultures. When you have an attitude of care towards people from different cultures you are much more likely to truly understand politeness from their point of view. This in turn makes it easier to build trust in international business.
Qustions for you…
- What do you think of showing genuine care in international business?
- Do you think an attitude of genuine care is out of place in international business?
- How do you think a genuine attitude of care helps to develop politeness in cross-cultural communication?
Please share your stories in the comment section below
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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| Mindset | Clarity | Trust |
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| Expand Your Mindset | Get Extreme With Clarity | Build Trust |
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