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Globalization has brought about more diversity in the workplace. This has led to the challenge of making sure that the communication strategies and tools being utilized and tapped into are effective even if the workforce is made up of staff members from diverse backgrounds. Here are some tips and suggestions leaders and managers can opt for when communicating with a diverse workforce: 1. Make sure to train international employees early and often Whatever communication tool or method you may opt for – whether it be mass notification systems, email or face-to-face meetings – remember to avoid misunderstandings and cultural confusion. One of the ways of preventing confusion is training international staff members early and often through orientation seminars and ongoing training programs. These inform employees what the company expects of them, and what they can expect form the company. Making expectations clear from the get-go help avoid misconceptions and define rules and policies. Make sure that the information given during orientation seminars and training programs is not ambiguous. And while you will want to accept and celebrate the cultural nuances of each employee, make sure to that these do not adversely affect your own company culture. 2. Don’t forget to train local employees as well Even your local employees need to understand and celebrate the significance of diversity within the company and among the clients of the organization; therefore, it is important that they be trained as well. Train your local employees to look at the world from the eyes and the mindset of those who are not like them. The biggest mistake a lot of people make is seeing the world only from their own points of view. Diversity in the workplace should not only be tolerated, but should be accepted and embraced. 3. Remember that different cultures like receiving information in different ways Different people are more comfortable receiving information in particular ways. For example, while others are okay with receiving information through SMS or mass notification systems, some will only be comfortable receiving information in person. While others don’t trust information that is relayed directly by a manager, they may prefer hearing messages from the leader of their employee group. On the other hand, while some people take pride in being praised for their good work in public, others may prefer being acknowledged in private and find public praise embarrassing. 4. Assign mentors This is especially relevant when it comes to new hires. It helps the new employee ease into his or her new role, and assures him or her that there is someone he or she can lean on and ask questions to. This allows foreign and international workers to feel more at ease when it comes to integrating into the company and adapting to change. If the old employee is of the same background as the new hire, it makes the transition even easier and smoother. When mentoring is effective, an experienced employee can help a new hire through mediation and by giving him or her the necessary information he or she needs to succeed in his or her role. 5. Encourage open communication Whether you integrate group chats, mass notification systems, email, or even newsletters into your organization, open communication encourages a more dynamic workplace. However, some employees may hesitate to approach their managers for guidance and support due to culture. Other cultures may see this accessibility and open communication as a sign of the manager’s weakness. In cases such as this, you may opt to ask your team to elect a representative who will speak on the team’s behalf especially when you want their feedback and ideas. 6. Avoid jargon and slang While some culture-specific jargon and slang words may be understandable to your local employees, foreign and international workers may not understand what you are trying to say. This lack of understanding may lead to confusion, frustration and even offense. Avoid using jargon and slang. Use simple and clear language instead whether you are sending messages through a mass notification systems, email, group chat or during a team meeting. In today’s diverse workplace, communication issues can take on an added dimension of complexity. Every culture has its own set of tacit assumptions and tendencies when it comes to face-to-face interactions, and trying to get your point across effectively
can sometimes be difficult. Even when a language barrier doesn’t exist, cross-cultural communication can be challenging. Here are our top ten tips for effective cross-cultural communication: Many cultures have specific etiquette around the way they communicate. Before you meet, research the target culture, or if time allows, do some cross cultural training. For example, many cultures expect a degree of formality at the beginning of communication between
individuals. Every culture has its own specific way of indicating this formality: ‘Herr’ and ‘Frau’ in Germany, reversing family and given names in China and the use of ‘san’ in Japan for men and women etc. Be aware of these familiarity tokens and don’t jump straight to first name terms until you receive a cue from the other person to do so. Not even the most educated non-native English speaker will have a comprehensive understanding of English slang, idioms
and sayings. They may understand the individual words you have said, but not the context or the meaning. As a result you could end up confusing them or at worst, offending them. Even if English is the common language in a cross cultural situation it’s not a good idea to speak at your normal conversational speed. Modulating your pace will help, as will speaking clearly and pronouncing your words properly. Break your sentences into short, definable sections and give
your listener time to translate and digest your words as you go. But don’t slow down too much as it might seem patronising. If the person you’re speaking to is talking too quickly or their accent is making it difficult for you to understand them, don’t be afraid to politely ask them to slow down too. In a cross cultural conversation there’s no need to make it harder for both of you by using big words. Just keep it simple. Two syllable words are much easier to
understand than three syllable words, and one syllable words are better than two syllable words. Say “Please do this quickly” rather than “Please do this in an efficacious manner.” Active listening is a very effective strategy for improving cross cultural communication. Restate or summarise what the other person has said, to ensure that you have understood them correctly, and ask frequent questions. This helps build rapport and ensures that important
information doesn’t get missed or misunderstood. 6. Take turns to talkMake the conversation flow more freely by taking it in turns to speak. Make a point and then listen to the other person respond. Particularly when people are speaking English as their second language it’s better to talk to them in short exchanges rather than delivering a long monologue that might be difficult for them to follow. 7. Write things downIf you’re not sure whether the other person has understood you properly, write it down to make sure. This can be particularly helpful when discussing large figures. For example, in the UK we write a billion as 1,000,000,000 but in the USA, it’s written as 1,000,000,000,000. 8. Avoid closed questionsDon’t phrase a question that needs a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. In many cultures it is difficult or embarrassing to answer in the negative, so you will always get a ‘yes’ even if the real answer is ‘no’. Ask open-ended questions that require information as a response instead. 9. Be careful with humourMany cultures take business very seriously and believe in behaving professionally and following protocol at all times. Consequently they don’t appreciate the use of humour and jokes in a business context. If you do decide to use humour make sure it will be understood and appreciated in the other culture and not cause offence. Be aware that British sarcasm usually has a negative effect abroad. 10. Be supportiveEffective cross cultural communication is about all parties feeling comfortable. In any conversation with a non-native English speaker, treat them with respect, do your best to communicate clearly and give them encouragement when they respond. This will help build their confidence and trust in you. Share This PostPosted IncHRysos HR Solutions is a Doncaster based HR training and consultancy company providing CIPD accredited qualifications, Apprenticeships, Training and HR Services to SMEs nationwide. For more information about how cHRysos HR can help you or your teams successfully achieve further qualifications, contact us on or call 03300 562443. How can you communicate effectively with diverse backgrounds?Top Ten Tips for.... Maintain etiquette. Many cultures have specific etiquette around the way they communicate. ... . Avoid slang. ... . Speak slowly. ... . Keep it simple. ... . Practice active listening. ... . Take turns to talk. ... . Write things down. ... . Avoid closed questions.. What's the role of communication in a diverse workplace?It helps the new employee ease into his or her new role, and assures him or her that there is someone he or she can lean on and ask questions to. This allows foreign and international workers to feel more at ease when it comes to integrating into the company and adapting to change.
What is diverse in communication?Diversity in communications is more about recognizing that different people have unique points of view and life experiences based on their backgrounds.
How can diversity affect communication in the workplace?A diverse workforce poses various communication challenges to a company. Diverse working groups can often experience problems with misunderstandings and miscommunication and inaccuracies. Communication breakdowns occur when members often assume that the other party understands the message when in fact they do not.
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