“…one of the world’s most significant problems: intercultural relations…”

Edward T. Hall

1. The Nature of Intercultural Communication

2. Dominant Cultural Orientations

3. Domains of Cultural Differences

4. Steps Towards Effective Communication

Intercultural communication is:

communication between at least two people from different cultures.

Increasing interaction between people due to globalization

Increasing diversity in workplaces

Increasing need to develop caring, responsible and ethical business leaders

National cultures Social groups Ethnic groups Genders Age or generational

groups

(and more…)

If intercultural communication is communication between at least two people from different cultures…

◦ ALL communication between people is essentially intercultural.

◦ Different types of cultures shape communication.

◦ Caring, responsible and ethical business leaders must be effective intercultural communicators.

1. How contexting affects communication

2) How face-saving affects communication

3) How the individual is viewed in relation to the group

4) How time is perceived

5) How power is distributed

6) How decisions are made

Reminder: cultural orientations are NOT dichotomies; they are tendencies.

Choice of words

Organization of messages

Body language

Eye contact

Laughter

Touch

Tone, volume and speed

Turn-taking and silence

PART IV

STEP TOWARDS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Develop a sense of cultural awareness

Do not be ethnocentric

Listen genuinely when others speak

Do not lapse into your own language while in the presence of others who do not speak it

Take responsibility for the communication (e.g., if miscommunication happens, it is not always the other person’s fault)

DO NOT STEREOTYPE

Intercultural communication:

respects people as part of a group AND as individuals.

is not about interaction between national cultures only.

Intercultural competence:

helps you deliver your messages clearly, appropriately and persuasively.

enables you, as a business leader, to contribute to a just and equitable world.

THANK YOU!

Q & A