Apply It: Culture and Communication

Lumen Learning

Apply It: Culture and Communication

Understand the difference between race and ethnicity
Understand how cultural differences related to race can affect communication
Understand how cultural differences among people from different countries can affect communication
Understand how cultural differences related to religion can affect communication
Understand how to adjust your communication for an audience that includes people from different cultures

Cross-Cultural Communication

A diverse group of Stanford Business School students present different challenges they have encountered in cross-cultural communication.

You can view the transcript for “Lost in Translation: How to Communicate Across Cultures” here (opens in new window).

What are the three main barriers to effective cross-cultural communication and how can individuals and organizations address these barriers to improve communication in a multicultural environment?

The three main barriers to effective cross-cultural communication are anxiety, ethnocentrism, and differences in language meaning.

To address the barriers to effective cross-cultural communication, individuals and organizations can implement the following strategies:

Reducing Anxiety:
- Cultural Training: Provide cultural competence training to employees to help them understand and appreciate cultural differences. This training can include information about cultural norms, values, and communication styles.
- Mentorship Programs: Pairing employees with mentors from different cultural backgrounds can help reduce anxiety by providing a supportive environment to ask questions and learn.
- Encouraging Open Dialogue: Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their uncertainties and asking for clarification. Regular team meetings and open forums can help in discussing cultural differences and reducing anxiety.
Addressing Ethnocentrism:
- Promoting Cultural Awareness: Encourage employees to learn about and respect different cultures. This can be achieved through cultural awareness workshops, celebrating cultural festivals, and creating opportunities for cross-cultural interactions.
- Inclusive Policies: Develop and enforce policies that promote diversity and inclusion. This includes anti-discrimination policies and practices that value diverse perspectives.
- Leadership Commitment: Ensure that leadership demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Leaders should model inclusive behavior and actively support initiatives that promote cultural understanding.
Managing Differences in Language Meaning:
- Language Training: Offer language classes or resources for employees to learn key phrases in different languages. This can help bridge language gaps and demonstrate respect for other cultures.
- Clear Communication: Encourage the use of clear and simple language, avoiding idioms, jargon, and colloquial expressions that might not be understood by everyone. When in doubt, ask for clarification or use visual aids to support verbal communication.
- Professional Translators: When necessary, hire professional translators or interpreters to ensure accurate communication. This is particularly important in high-stakes situations where misunderstandings could have serious consequences.