Promote open communication

Every culture nurtures its own communication style, like speaking patterns and nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication includes everything beyond words — gestures, facial expressions, and body language. It is crucial to understand diverse communication styles between cultures and speak to your colleagues according to these rules.

For instance, nonverbal hand signals have diverse meanings in different cultures. In his book Beyond Culture, an anthropologist Edward T. Hall coined the phrases “high-context,” “low-context” and “multi-active” cultures. Different cultures have distinct ways of communicating, so keep them in mind when speaking with various team members.

High-context cultures use nonverbal cues often.
Communication is usually indirect. While having a dialogue, people speak one-at-a-time. When conflicts occur, people tend to solve issues immediately so they can continue working. Some “high-context” countries that communicate nonverbally are Japan, Greece, and numerous Arab nations.

Low-context cultures rely on words themselves.
Communication is direct, primarily verbal, and open. When conflicts arise, people do not necessarily have to work them out straight away to continue working. Some “low-context” countries are the United States, Germany, and Scandinavian countries.

Multi-active cultures fall between these two categories.
Communication tends to be a combination of nonverbal and verbal cues, and conflicts can be resolved on the spot or after the fact. Some “multi-active” countries are Spain, Italy, and Latin America.

Each culture has a unique understanding of nonverbal communication. Keep in mind that you might have to take a different approach when talking to your Swedish colleague as opposed to your team member from Zambia.

Effective communication is essential in a culturally diverse team to avoid misunderstandings. People tend to assume that their colleagues share their cultural background and understand them perfectly, but this is not always the case, especially if there are language barriers or cultural differences. Native English speakers tend to assume that someone else who also speaks English can understand them perfectly. This may not always be the case! Someone who learned English as a second (or third) language, even though they are proficient in the language, may not get the same nuances, expressions, or subtext.

To overcome these challenges, it is recommended to over-communicate, using clear language and checking for understanding, particularly in electronic communication. Ask the other party to rephrase to confirm their understanding. Creating a culture that encourages questions and clarifications can help bridge information gaps and improve team performance. Respectful and patient attitudes towards cultural differences can also reduce conflict and misunderstanding. By taking these steps, intercultural teams can work more efficiently and achieve their goals.