3 Good Practices to Virtually Engage Across Cultures
Though the coronavirus has more and more companies pausing international and domestic travel, today’s business landscape still presents a constant need for intercultural interactions – leading many to resort to technology to host virtual meetings. However, this type of communication can create problems for employees not well equipped to engage across cultures. Here are three tips you should keep in mind when joining virtual meetings, especially with geographically or culturally diverse participants.
Be empathetic and adjust your communication style accordingly.
For example, an individual in a culture that is more hierarchal – like many East Asian cultures – may be hesitant to actively participate in a virtual conversation without a direct question from a leader, unlike the tendency in the U.S. to “jump in” and share ideas openly. If you hope to hear ideas from an individual who has yet to share, ask them for their thoughts directly.
Choose your medium wisely.
High-context cultures, like many Arab cultures, depend on all the elements surrounding a conversation, with the actual words sending only a small part of the message. For these cultures, a video conferencing option, like Zoom or Skype, may be better than a simple conference call or email.
Keep time zones and time management cultural differences in mind.
You may need to be flexible to adapt your behavior and calendar when planning digital meetings. Online tools like this meeting planner are useful in finding the best times across multiple locations. Additionally, know that different cultures perceive time differently: a culture with a monochronic structure like the U.S. is deadline-oriented, while cultures with a polychronic structure, like India, view deadlines as a “target” and place more value in the output and maintaining positive relationships. Communicate and confirm that your team’s priorities and timelines align with your business goals.
Of course, these skills in diverse communication apply during standard business operations. However, they prove to be even more important as employees make a transition from an in-office to a remote setting, creating a less-than-ideal “social distance.”
By Peter Kirkwood, Protocol Officer, The International Center
Originally posted at Inside Indiana Business
Ready to get better at intercultural communication? Join Peter and The International Center for the 2021 Engaging Across Cultures workshop on April 16, 2021! Learn more and register!
