\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Be mindful of time zones One of the most obvious, but often overlooked, strategies for minimizing cross-cultural barriers is being mindful of different time zones. This is not a culture-specific fact, and that’s why it can be very helpful in overcoming obstacles in communication. Building the Relationship Explore each other’s cultures first-hand. You should be there as well, not to control them but to actually be a part of it. If for some reason circumstances require you to comment on a coworker or employee’s behavior, make sure it’s coming from a place of professional obligation rather than personal objection. If a Filipino smiles, they say he is angry. Unfortunately, if all your other efforts fail, you have to have a well-defined written code in place that will address concrete violations and measures that should be taken when they happen. Asking questions is often the best way to learn. Overcoming barriers; Nature and mental health. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you’re working with someone with whom you have no language in common, it might be necessary to hire an interpreter. Humans are highly visual creatures, which is confirmed both by studies of human evolution and studies of language. This is the starting point, and you should always have it in mind when trying to bridge communication gaps. Generally speaking, it’s best to steer clear of sensitive subjects like politics and religion when getting to know someone from a different cultural background, particularly in the workplace. There are some cultural differences with your employees that you just have to accept and not try to change if you want your employees to perform well. This infographic spotlights strategies proven to minimize these barriers, or even eliminate them entirely. Not speaking properly can cause various misunderstandings and be a barrier to communication. If you are embarking on culture change work, it may be helpful to consider the barriers experienced by professionals who take this journey. Devout Muslims, for instance, pray 5 times per day at various prescribed times, including midday, afternoon, and evening. She is also addicted to art in all its forms and grilled tofu. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Brosix is a great solution in this respect, particularly for remote teams. Don’t make them only talk about their work experience and how they’re very enthusiastic about getting an opportunity at your company. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Diversity training can potentially foster inclusive work culture, encourage teamwork and leadership, create new … Ideally, our intercultural negotiation schemas help us avoid blunders when negotiating with a foreign counterpart and also help us understand behavior that might otherwise be puzzling, and is a helpful tool to overcome cultural barriers in negotiation. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Tip: Having an open mind about how things are done elsewhere is especially important if your job requires you to travel or oversee international affairs. It’s completely possible to be proud of your cultural heritage and accepting of other people’s at the same time. S look into these issues in more detail and check how you can.. Building the Relationship Explore each other ’ s at the bottom of the world who not... 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