I’ve listened to so many people tell me that there is some real ‘difficult science’ that must be learned in order to effectively bridge cultural divides in business. Many times I believe things are made to appear more difficult than they really are simply to keep people suppressed and limited to their daily routines.
I recently found myself emerged within a group of people from all corners of the Earth. Chinese, Indians, Europeans, Americans etc. were all working beside each other towards a common goal. No magic, no big voodoo…..simply human beings working towards a common goal.
I have a couple of pointers and they are not 'rocket science' tips……just tips from a regular guy that loves people.
1.) Be honest. If you are not familiar with cultural courtesies, make it known before meals etc. Make it known what your customs are ask if there are customs that you should know about before proceeding with your meal. The first person at the table to do this is usually the person that ‘breaks the ice’ and can direct the conversation.
2.) No fakes. Don’t pretend to know things that you have ‘no clue’ about. Admit when you need help. Most often people will fall over themselves to help you understand if you are sincere.
3.) Plan, plan, plan. Rehearse each trip in your mind. Read about the cultures in which you will be interacting with.
At the end of the day after all the differences have been analyzed and debated one simple fact remains….we are all members of the global society and basic human needs remain consistent. Treat each human with dignity and respect and you may be amazed at just how far this long forgotten bit of advice will get you. The world does not revolve around me………but others.
kml
2009
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