2 The ways to improve intercultural communication skills

Intercultural communication skills are important in today's workplace environment. These skills can help you avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and misinterpretations due to ineffective communication. You can forestall frustration, tension and decreased productivity. Improve intercultural communication skills by learning about other peoples' cultures, behaviors and communication styles; unlock the potential for a creative and dynamic cross-cultural environment.

1) Respect the people that you encounter. Understand that the experiences you have had may not be the same as others. The best way to show respect for someone's cultural differences is to listen to her when she describes or shares her experiences with you. If a colleague or new friend is telling you something that is unique to her culture, don't laugh, make jokes or demean the culture.

2) Educate yourself about different cultures. Be open to learning about culture and develop a sincere interest in learning about others. If this is a work-related situation, inquire with Human Resources to see if there are courses or activities related to intercultural training. If you have encountered a new friend, do some web surfing or head to the library to find out facts about his cultural history.

3) Ask questions but be careful not to appear as if your interests in cultural differences are a forced effort, sterile or intolerant. For example, if a person is telling you about the way his culture approaches generations and family structure, instead of remarking, "That must have been uncomfortable to live with so many old people," you could say, "Did living with your grandparents make you closer to them?"

4) Watch out for tone in your speech. Understand that many cultures give specific meaning to tone and body language. What may be a simple reaction to you could be seen as disrespectful. Be aware of when and how you laugh during interactions. Raising your voice or intonation at certain times may be seen as aggressive.

5) Remove slang from your speech. Many words in slang are misunderstood across cultures. Slang is specific to culture and many times does not communicate in the same way across cultures. For example, in England a "fag" is a cigarette and an acceptable term. In the United States, this is seen as a derogatory term.

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Be Respectful

• Treat others with respect and address them appropriately; this is especially important for closing and opening conversations. If you're unsure of how to address someone, ask first.

Ask Questions

• Be an attentive listener. Always check for understanding, and ask questions if you have any doubts.

Learn About Other Cultures

• In order to avoid insensitive comments and misunderstandings, research and learn about specific cultures. At the same time, avoid overgeneralizing and stereotyping. Each person is an individual, so try not to make assumptions about a person of another culture based on what you have learned. Instead, aim for a better understanding and more effective communication.

Avoid Using Slang and Idioms

• Use specific and relevant words when speaking. Slang and idioms will not be understood by people of other cultures; try not to put others in a position that requires them to "read between the lines." Think before you speak. Clarify or rephrase your dialogue when you catch yourself saying something that may be misinterpreted.

Be Aware

• Be aware of your body and energy; nonverbal cues and gestures may communicate more than you think. At the same time, pay attention to and be aware of others' nonverbal cues and gestures.