When working internationally, there are certain principles
that are good to remember:
- Acknowledge differences exist
- Understand and analyse why those differences exist
- Appreciate the unique values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of different cultures
- Adapt your behaviour — including your cross-cultural communication style — to meet the needs of others.
- Be sensitive to feedback and adapt accordingly.
When things just don’t seem to be going right… Remember:
Don’t take things personally!
This comes from personal experience. When you don’t understand why people are behaving the way they are or people aren’t doing things the way you thought they would, don’t jump to the conclusion that they are doing it to annoy/upset you.
The first lesson of intercultural communication is to STOP BEING SELF-CENTRED. You’ve probably stumbled across a cultural difference which has prompted a form of Culture Shock.
My other articles related to culture shock can be found here:
The Stages of Adjusting To A New Culture
10 Culture Shock Principles For Working Internationally
Before You Go: What To Do Before You Leave
The Classic 5-Stage Culture Shock Model
Rhinesmith’s 10 Stages of Culture Shock
Advice For Expats Moving to the Arab World
Tags: cross-cultural communication, cultural differences, culture shock, working internationally
Hello, I'm Deborah Swallow and, for the last fifteen years, I've worked in over thirty countries addressing the complexities of people working internationally across multiple cultures, so individuals and organisations alike can gain an authentic competitive edge and win in international markets. 
One would think that these very simple principles would be obvious to most people. AND YET how many misunderstandings, how many bungled business deals, how many hurt feelings and puzzled reactions go back to people really not being aware of the importance of cultural differences and how they can affect our everyday dealings with each other?
Thank you, Deborah, for reminding us all that it’s not about us! Or rather, it IS about us…it’s about ALL of us, working together, finding ways to see the world through each others’ eyes, and better understand each other. Giving up on the whole idea of a “right” way to do anything, and instead looking for ways to foster productive intercultural communication, and to celebrate and enjoy, rather than fight the wonderful complex diversity of our world and all the people in it!
Hi Janet, You are so right – it is about ALL of us. That’s a nice way to put it!