“…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

What is ‘culture’ in intercultural communication?

 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 High Context Low Context

2) How face-saving affects communication

3) How the individual is viewed in relation to the group Individualis t Collectivist

4) How time is perceived Monochronic Polychronic

5) How power is distributed Flat Hierarchical

6) How decisions are made Top- down Through consensus

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